James Adam Walker

James’ early life was spent on the family farm near Prairieville in East Texas. There he developed his love for hunting and fishing, especially with his brothers and nephew, Howard.

James served in the United States Army Security Agency from 1966 to 1970 in Asmara, Ethiopia, and Eleuthera, Bahamas, achieving the rank of SPC 5. His specialty was Morse Code.

While serving in Ethiopia, James managed to snap a few photos of Haile Selassie, the nation’s last emperor. He was in Beirut, Lebanon, the day before the Six Day War broke out. As he sat on the runway waiting for the plane to take off, Lebanese soldiers boarded the plane and began checking the passengers’ papers. James often told the story of sitting there with his top secret security clearance and being sure he was a dead man. He was under orders to eat his papers under such a situation.

While serving on Eleuthera, he helped intercept transmissions between Russia and Cuba. A personal highlight from this time was having the opportunity to photograph astronauts from one of the Apollo missions who were recovered in the Atlantic after splashdown and made a stop on the island.

James spent many years as a small business owner, selling service station and garage supplies through Jim Walker Supply Co. Later, he became a mechanic for the U.S. Postal Service, from which he retired in 2005.

James and his wife of 28 years, Lorraine, were members of Hillcrest Church in Dallas, and shared a love for antiquing and collecting. James enjoyed rebuilding computers at one time, and later turned his interests to restoring antique clocks. He loved western movies and books; the Dallas Cowboys; making hot sauce (and cooking in general); and sharing childhood memories with his grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Lynn Walker; and his sister, Etta Mae Brown Lide. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Walker of Grand Prairie, TX; brother, William Walker, of Van, TX; son, Adam Walker of Waxahachie, TX; daughter, Rebecca Walker of Waxahachie, TX; son, Timothy Walker, Sr. and wife, Itza Wiszburger of Duncanville, TX; son, Mark Walker and wife, Stacy Sala-Walker of Cedar Hill, TX; daughter, Clarissa Christman and husband, Drew Christman of Argyle, TX; and grandchildren Timothy Walker, Jr.; Gina Ross; Cybill Reberte; Zoë Murguia; Skylar, Sienna and Shyloh Walker; and Justus and Austin Christman.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Wounded Warrior Project.