James Edward Walker

Walker, James Edward, CMSgt, USAF (ret) was called into the grace and light of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, August 7. He was 74 years old. Mr. Walker was the first of five children born to Stephen and Sara Walker and grew up in Macon Ga. He was a Boy Scout and the first one in his troop to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Lanier High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954. During his 26 year career in the Air Force, he was stationed in bases in Japan, Hawaii, and Washington, DC., Warner Robins Ga, and Montgomery, Al . and received numerous commendations and medals. He was a magna cum laude graduate of Troy State University (member of Gamma Beta Phi) and the Air Force Air Command and Staff College. CMSgt Walker retired from HQ Data Systems Design Center (DSDC) in June 1980 and was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the core Automated Maintenance System (CAMS) for the B-1B plane in his position as senior computer programmer/analyst. In June 1980, he accepted a position with the State of Alabama Department of Industrial Relations before returning to the Air Force as a civil service employee at Gunter AFB in 1981. Over the next 17 years, he received numerous letters of appreciation, commendations, and cash performance awards. Due to health problems, he retired in June 1998. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing and working in his shop and spending time with his grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren and could frequently be seen riding bicycles with them in the neighborhood, teaching them to build things, swimming at the lake, swinging at the playground and taking them to the Thrift Shop on base with $2.00 to spend. Mr. Walker is survived by his wife of 31 years, Kay, three children, son Michael (Tracy), daughters Joan Passmore, Karen Davis (Tom), six grandchildren; Tara Walker, Wendy Bethea (Thomas), Stephanie Jones, Jennifer Jones, Shelby Rowland and Emily Walker; four great grandchildren; Kaitlyn Jones, Kelsie Jones, Kayleigh Bethea, and Grayson Bethea. He also leaves three sisters: Beatrice Ord (Bob), Linda Pruitt (Billy), and Sarah Austin (Terry), sister-in-law Angeline Walker, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen Walker and Sara Barr Walker and a brother, Gerald L. Walker. Mr. Walker was a member of St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Montgomery.

The family wishes to acknowledge the entire Vista Care Hospice Staff for their outstanding compassion, service, and professionalism, especially Kelly and John who were an extraordinary blessing at our time of need. Caregivers Tom and Vernell Fleming for their unselfish devotion and love to our family over the past five years; friends Lee and Charlotte Dunn for their friendship, visits, lunch/dinners and good times shared with our loved one; and Dr. Joel C. Bolen and his staff for their outstanding professional care and service since 2001.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at 1 PM, at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, with Visitation beginning at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Alabama Heritage Cemetery

Pallbearers include Lee Dunn, Tom Davis, Jimmy Southerland, Ronnie Manning, Mark McGuire, E.J. Smith. The Officiating minister will be Treavor Perry. Condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.