Jim passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2013 peacefully with family around him from an eight-year-plus battle of Lewy Body Dementia, which is second in the world to Alzheimer’s.

Jim was born in Sweet Home at the home of David Francis and Mary Elizabeth Schermesser Walker. The last of seven children, Jim graduated Sweet Home Union High School in 1955.

Jim and his wife of 56 years, LouVee, lived in the home where Jim was born for 51 years. Five years ago, they built a new home in the back yard of the property.

Jim worked part-time in the high school doing various jobs. He also worked with various crops (strawberries, cherries, and beans) and worked in a filling station and a mill. When Jim and LouVee married he was a logger for several different companies. In December 1959, Jim went to work for Willamette Industries at the Sweet Home Plywood Division and retired in 1994 at the age of 57 when the mill closed.

Jim is survived by: his loving wife and caregiver, LouVee Davenport Walker; son, Steven Dale (and Calwon Lee); granddaughter, Kelsey Lee Walker; daughter, Kathleen Marie Walker Varbel (and Patrick C. Varbel); son, Michael Alan Walker; ex-wife, Connie R. Pierce; step grandson, Sean M Pierce (and Coco and their children, Tucker and Kayley), granddaughter, Amber Dawn Walker; ex-wife, Michele Godown Allen; step granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Godown (and her girls, CourtneyAnn Newens and Bailey Newens); grandson, Caleb Michael Walker; two young grandsons, Clayton Daniel James Walker and Alan Lee Walker, and their mother, Amanda Kilpatrick; sisters, Iris Graham from Lebanon, OR and Ruth Kyriss from Mt. Vernon, OR; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many friends and lifelong friend,Gary Linkel.

Jim is preceded in death by: his parents; and brothers, Eldon W. Walker, Eugene, Willis V. Walker from Missouri, Harold L. Walker from Salem, and Wilber Ray Walker from Lebanon.

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., at Jim’s home. Contributions may be made in his memory at www.lbda.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.