Lifetime Plymouth resident James W. Walker, 56, of 711 Magnetic Parkway, passed away unexpectedly at 2:40 a.m. Friday in the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center – Plymouth Campus. His death has been attributed to heat stroke.
Jim was a caring person who volunteered his time and construction talent helping build Habitat for Humanity houses in Plymouth and surrounding areas. He could often be found serving as a clerk in the Habitat Re-Store in Plymouth.
He was born James Wesley Walker on June 17, 1955 in Plymouth to James Paul and Barbara Jean (Falconbury) Walker. Raised in Plymouth, he attended St. Michael church and school and graduated from Plymouth High School with the Class of 1974. He then entered the U.S. Coast Guard.
Jim worked part-time in construction and found contentment as an avid reader of books by his favorite authors of Steinbeck, Hemingway and Kerouac. He also spent countless hours watching classic movies.
Surviving family members include his sisters, Jo Ann Walker Morrow of Plymouth and Jeanne S. Walker (Alan Ehrich) of Chicago and a brother, John H. Walker of Plymouth. Two nephews also survive, they are; Schuyler H. Mitchell of Chicago and Ian C. Pope of Los Angeles. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janet Lynn Walker.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, July 26th from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
A Mass in Memoriam will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27th in St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. The Rev. Fr. William J. Kummer will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Military honors will be accorded Jim by members of the Plymouth American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Marshall County 1162 and the Disabled American Veterans.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Jim’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 524, Plymouth, IN 46563
Sherry Watkins says
Jeanne, I am so very sorry to hear of your brother\’s passing. It is devastating to lose a brother. I wish I could be with you at this very difficult time but please know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts. Take care, my friend.
Sherry
Kirk Van Gilder says
My condolences to family and friends on the passing of Jim. I know that I wasn\’t a very good friend to Jim as the years went by but Jim was and always will be a dear friend to me. It is unfortunate that he is gone. Jim had a great creativity and artistic skill that wasn\’t realized to its fullest capacity. It was something that should have been shared with the world. I don\’t have any knowledge of his creations in later years and I should have.
My heart is with you all.
Judy Fluke says
Jeanne- I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Hugs, prayers, and kisses from Kentucky. Prayers for your entire family.
Judy (Trump) Fluke
Mikki Holloway says
Jeanne, JoAnn, and John, It was sad to hear of Jim\’s passing. My thoughts are with your family in this difficult time.
Kirk Kuskye says
To the Walker family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, and may you find some comfort in knowing that John has gone home to walk with the Lord.
Sincerely,
Kirk Kuskye
Janet Vannest says
Jeanne,
I learned of your brother\’s death on FB. It seemed as if he was a very caring individual from reading his obituary. I have been praying for your family and will think of you tonight and tomorrow as both times will be difficult. I have found that whether it is an unexpected death or one a long time in coming, that I wasn\’t ready in either situation. May you be comforted that he is in a better place now.
Sherry Watkins says
Jeanne, I am so very sorry to hear of your brother\’s passing. It is devastating to lose a brother. I wish I could be with you at this very difficult time but please know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts. Take care, my friend.
Sherry
Kirk Van Gilder says
My condolences to family and friends on the passing of Jim. I know that I wasn\’t a very good friend to Jim as the years went by but Jim was and always will be a dear friend to me. It is unfortunate that he is gone. Jim had a great creativity and artistic skill that wasn\’t realized to its fullest capacity. It was something that should have been shared with the world. I don\’t have any knowledge of his creations in later years and I should have.
My heart is with you all.
Judy Fluke says
Jeanne- I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Hugs, prayers, and kisses from Kentucky. Prayers for your entire family.
Judy (Trump) Fluke
Mikki Holloway says
Jeanne, JoAnn, and John, It was sad to hear of Jim\’s passing. My thoughts are with your family in this difficult time.
Kirk Kuskye says
To the Walker family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, and may you find some comfort in knowing that John has gone home to walk with the Lord.
Sincerely,
Kirk Kuskye
Janet Vannest says
Jeanne,
I learned of your brother\’s death on FB. It seemed as if he was a very caring individual from reading his obituary. I have been praying for your family and will think of you tonight and tomorrow as both times will be difficult. I have found that whether it is an unexpected death or one a long time in coming, that I wasn\’t ready in either situation. May you be comforted that he is in a better place now.