Paula and family: On this special day of remembrance our hearts and minds are stirred with the memory of our beloved Pastor and dear friend. 

I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Pastor Walter. He served at Christ Lutheran Church in White Cloud, MI during my childhood. He had a lasting positive impact on my family and the community. He confirmed and baptized my dad and became a family friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. 

To paster’s sweet family,  we, Terry and I learned just today that paster Walter had gone on to be with the Lord.   I wasn’t even aware he had been sick.  I was not a member of Grace but Terry was for years and I loved Paster so much.  We had our discussions about scripture and he was so loving and kind.  I cried when I heard.  So many are going to miss this sweet and special man.  Prayers and deepest sympathy to all who loved him and knew him ,

Nancy Clawitter

I was saddened to learn of Pastor Walter's death.  I have worked with thousands of ministers over the past 55 years as a funeral director, and Pastor Walter was one of my favorites.  We had a lot in common; I grew up in Clayton, MO just a couple of blocks from Concordia Seminary where Pastor Walter trained for his ministry, and went to mortuary school in Louisville, KY, and of course am a lifetime Cardinal fan.  We had many wonderful visits as he rode in the hearse with me from Grace Lutheran to the cemeteries, often to Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart.  Rest in peace, my friend and may the perpetual light o God shine on you forever.  ...Dave LaFevers

I am not a member of Grace, but I have been touched by the life and work of Pastor Walter. When my grandmother, Virginia Brower, a lifelong Grace member, was in a nursing home, Pastor visited her regularly and brought her Communion. It was something our whole family took great comfort in, and I will always remember it. When my own father (who was not a member of Grace) was hospitalized with lung cancer in the final days of his life, Pastor Walter ministered to my mother (Nancy Finkbeiner) and comforted her during a time when we were all suffering so much. He prayed for my dad the same way he’d pray for any member of his congregation. Pastor truly was a man of God. I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and all who mourn the loss of this wonderful man. May God bless you all. 

What a good man. A wonderful grandpa with always a smile. He’ll play for the team in heaven - Cardinals of course. 

Pastor singing hymns with my 95 yo old mother - she relished his visits to her both at assisted living and the nursing home - my mother was not a Grace parishioner but he visited her regularly anyway - this means  more to  me that I can ever express

We briefly attended Grace Lutheran for a two and a half months in 2018 while our second daughter needed long term care at Arkansas Children’s Hospital due to a birth defect. Pastor Walter and his wife selflessly opened up their own home for my husband and oldest daughter and provided shelter, meals, prayers, and comfort during one of the hardest times of our lives. Our youngest is now a toddler and doing well. We will never forget this generosity. Pastor Walter was a true example of a good and faithful servant. 

I will miss my dear Pastor who helped to strengthen me in my faith more then any other Pastor.  Will also miss talking Cardinal baseball with him and joking with him about drinking a light beer. Heaven has got another good Lutheran Pastor.

I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of Pastor Walter and you all during your time at White Cloud. He was always friendly, always smiling. A good leader and pastor. I remember babysitting for your kids and my brother having a friend in your son. We were sad then to see you all leave our community, and now deeply saddened to hear of your all too soon loss. Thank God we can know Pastor Walter is home with the Lord and I pray this brings you some comfort in this tragedy. 
With love, 
Kate Lovatt
(Daughter of Judy and Ron Lovatt) 

So heart broken when we received word that Rev. Jim (as we lovingly called him) had passed.  We first met Jim and Paula when they moved into the apartment above us in Carbondale.  We became fast friends.  Playing cards (which was our entertainment when times were tight), arguing over the Cardinals and the Cubs and enjoying each other’s company in many ways.    So many memories run through our minds.  Our deepest sympathies to his lovely wife and everyone in his family.   

The Rev. James Walter served as the officiant at my installation as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Fairfield Bay, AR in September 2008, the beginning of a friendship of many years.  His good humor and kind demeanor were always in evidence at the many circuit meetings and pastors' conferences through my time in the Mid-South District ending in 2016, as well as his humility.  Though often urged to consider being placed in higher district office, he demurred, saying God had more than enough for him to do where he was.  Between us, we had a good-natured rivalry, with his being an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and I, a life-long Chicago Cubs fan.  For myself and my wife, however, the true measure of Jim's pastoral heart was shown when I was hospitalized for two months at Little Rock Baptist Medical Center following complications resulting from colon cancer surgery, during which time I was visited regularly by my fellow clergy of the Little Rock Circuit, -- and, according to my dear wife, on a DAILY basis by Pastor Walter.  In addition, he and his wife, Paula, opened their home and their hearts to Evelyn as an overnight guest once weekly, to save her a two hour drive back to Fairfield Bay.  The church militant has lost a true "saint" and warrior for the Lord Jesus here on earth.  He will be missed by both clergy and laity, yet now, this lover of music sings eternally with the angel choirs.  Enter into the joy of our Lord, dear brother in Christ - depart in peace.
The Rev. Arthur H. Baisch, Emeritus, & Mrs. Evelyn Baisch
Austintown, OH  44515

Pastor Walter and I became acquainted when Shannon brought me into the church. 
We became such good friend and he truly helped heal me and change me.  
Certainly in ways he did not even know. 
He was such a good pastor and leader, a man truly called and in service to God.
My heart goes out to Paula and Aaron and Paul and Hannah, and to everyone who knew and loved him. 
He pleased God with his service 
He was a blessing to us. 

My heart is broken. I was a member of Grace on the late ‘90’s while in Little Rock.   He was a caring Pastor and it was reflected in the entire congregation. My prayers to his family. God’s peace. 

Pat and I knew Pastor James Walter largely through our children. His son Aaron, our daughter Annalee and her husband Robert all were longtime classmates, first at Christ Lutheran School; then at Lutheran High in Little Rock. And Pastor Jim co-officiated with the Rev. Dr. Russ Hildebrand at Annalee and Robert’s wedding.
 The Lord first called Jim long ago to serve Him, and now he has called him home to his reward in Paradise. If the love for his neighbor and the reflection of that love in his family are measures of a man, Pastor Jim stands tall.
Our earthly loss has become Heaven's gain.
We offer prayers of comfort, healing and love for the Walter family.

Pastor Walter was such a caring man that made our short stay in Little Rock so special. He baptized our first two babies, invited us for dinner, and took time out of his day to catch up when I would show up to the church while out exercising.  We pray for peace and understanding during this time for the family.  Many blessings to you all. 

Our loving thoughts and prayers are with this precious family❤️  Pastor was just a special blessing from God and his faith was known by all who had the honor of knowing him. He graciously renewed our “25th” wedding vows. And his words remain with us today.  Heaven accepted a truly special Angel of our Heavenly Father into the gates with joy of his homecoming. 
Continued prayers. 
Randy, Diana, Reid & Amber 

Pastor Walter was such a blessing! His support for Lutheran High School was phenomenal, and he was so kind to my family when we made Grace our church home. He was so great at remembering names and welcoming people. He won our hearts by letting our grandchildren ring the church bell and giving their heads a “Dutch rub.”  His support for Grace’s education center was also phenomenal. He touched the hearts of so many little ones through the years. We will miss him so much, but we know he is in glory now.

I served with Jim as a Vice President of the Mid-South District. Our mutual respect and friendship grew during those years. It goes without saying that he was one of the top pastors of our District.  He was such a faithful and hard working pastor! I cherished his wisdom and loved him. We were all the richer for knowing Jim Walter, a fellow disciple of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Walter was a blessing for me and my family. I am heartbroken for Paula and pray God brings her peace. 

Jim was instrumental in the call process that placed me at Friends in Christ, Bryant, upon my graduation from seminary. He presided over my installation as well. He would always ask me how we were doing at Friends in Christ, and even made it a point early on to call and check on me and our church. He was a friendly face at every circuit pastors meeting, district conference, special services, and I even sang in the men’s choir with him a few times. He loved to sing! He had a great sense of humor and wasn’t above playfully “stirring the pot” or gigging someone in the pastors meetings. And he was ALWAYS ready to talk St. Louis Cardinals baseball - year round. His sermon at Pastor Jilg’s funeral is one of the best I ever heard. Prayers ascend from all of us at Friends in Christ on behalf of his family, and the congregation at Grace. 
~ Rev. Emil Woerner

Pastor modeled unconditional love and caring about everyone to all the children at Grace Lutheran ECDC. The children loved to go see him in the sanctuary and sing songs and listen to a lesson. The highlight of their time together (for the older ones) was to ring the church bell.  I was a teacher there for about a year and a half, and I can’t imagine the school without him. Prayers sent for all teachers, children,  and parents there. He will be missed immensely. 
Susan Lincoln

Pastor Walter, I will miss you very much.  You were the reason I joined Grace Lutheran Church : February 2019.  Then when I heard you were going to retire in May 2020, I just sat and cried.  
I enjoyed every service that I have attended with you.  God has received a blessed Angel. 🙏🙏.  I am blessed to have known you for the very short time. 
My God be with all of your family and friends and give them all strength during these sad day. Lori Jones

oh my-there are no words for the sorrow and sympathy i have for Paula, Hannah, Paul, Aaron and their families.  Pastor was such a good and faithful man; wise counsel, caring, talented and funny.  The first time i laid eyes on him he was coming thru the basement door with 3 or 4 year old Hannah on his hip 😍 such a sweet picture in my mind.  I cherish all the advice, all the little Italy’s, all the times he looked at me, bowed & shook his head, just not knowing what to do with me.  All my Love Walters’, all my love. 

OBITUARY

James Walter

3 October, 1953 – 2 December, 2020

Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home

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