Funeral Services will be held 2:00pm Monday June 25,2012 at St. Peter's Cathedral. Jackson, MS. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00pm till 6:00pm at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home Ridgeland, MS. with a 6:00pm Prayer Service to follow visitation. Additional visitation will be Monday from 1:00pm till 2:00pm at the Church. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.
Jim proudly served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army’s infantry finance unit. Jim’s assignments were both stateside and in the Pacific Theater on the island of Saipan. After the war Jim’s service continued in the newly formed U.S. Air Force and later in the Air Force Reserve.
A beneficiary of the GI bill, Jim graduated from Wichita State University and was employed by Kansas Gas and Electric. In 1952, Amoco Oil Company hired Jim and sent him to Tyler, Texas as an oil scout. While in Tyler he met the love of his life, Nora Korkmas, whom he married in 1956. In 1960, Amoco sent the family to Jackson, Mississippi where Jim became an active member of the oil industry serving as president of Mississippi Oil Scouts, Vice President of International Oil Scouts, and was active in The Capital City Club.
After undergoing heart surgery in 1971, Jim helped start the Mended Hearts Of Jackson, an organization formed to counsel heart surgery patients prior to surgery as well as post-surgery. The organization brought comfort to many as open heart surgery was quickly evolving during the 70’s and 80’s. Jim served as president of the Cedars of Lebanon Club of Jackson for several years as well.
After retirement, Jim enjoyed volunteering at the Mississippi Museum of Art as a docent during various exhibits and he was a dedicated volunteer at St. Dominic Hospital for 34 years. While at St. Dominic Jim formed many wonderful relationships which he treasured. He loved St. Dominic and ultimately gave over 5,000 hours in volunteer work earning him the designation, “Volunteer of the Year”. A communicant of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Jim served as an usher, a parish council member, and a minister to the sick. He was a lifetime member of the Catholic Foundation Of Mississippi.
Jim is survived by his wife Nora, and two daughters: Melanie Walker Dowell and husband Mike, and Melissa Walker Green and husband Rich. Five grandsons survive “Poppy” with wonderful memories: Mack Dowell and wife Dianna, Preston Dowell, Walker Dowell, Alex Green and Anthony Green. Jim also leaves three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A brief description of Jim Walker: “A gentle man and a Gentleman”
The family profoundly thanks the staff at Sienna Nursing Home of St. Catherine’s Village, Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland, and Dr. Gene Loper. Memorials may be made to charities of personal choice.
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