James J. Walter

James J. Walter, 93, of Fountain Hill, a former resident of Hamburg and LaMarque, Texas, was born September 14, 1925 in Rosedale, Pennsylvania to James Edward Walter and Mary Edith Macrum Walter.  He left this world Wednesday morning, January 2, 2019.

Jim was a proud veteran of the Army Air Corps and the Army Signal Corps and he served in both World War II and the Korean War.  He flew to Washington, D.C. in September as a guest of Honor Flight DFW in celebration of his service to our country.

In his working life, Jim was employed by Union Carbide and pursued many hobbies including general contracting.  He built and remodeled the family homes as well as building and flying his own airplanes.  He loved to read western and detective novels and to fish and hunt.  Family vacations were often spent camping.

He regularly recited “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert W. Service for entertainment and told jokes and stories at family gatherings to universal applause.

Jim was a tower of strength, faith, and integrity.  In addition to parenting his own children, he served as a foster parent, providing emergency housing for four other babies.  He was a loving uncle and manly role model to all the youngsters in his extended family.  He built go carts and dune buggies and tree houses with the children and loved building toys from wood.

He taught them all to pray and always led prayers before he ate, slept, started a day, or made a journey.  He memorized the 91st Psalm and lived its truth.  He was satisfied by a very long life and now sees the salvation of God.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Keith Edward Walter, his parents, James Edward Walter and Mary Edith Macrum Walter and his sister, Edythe Roseman Hiller.

Jim was married for 68 ½ years to the love of his life, Robbie Bennett Walter.  They had 3 children.  Their daughters are Dr. Kay J. Walter and Karen Lynn Gallardo of Fountain Hill.  Karen’s husband, Manuel Gallardo, was like a son to Jim.  They have 2 grandchildren, Rebecca Jane Thomas of Conway and Matthew Paul Thomas of Fountain Hill.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 in the Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jerry Grant and Bro. Bob Whiteley officiating.  Burial will be in the Cleveland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Sammy Oden, Brian Oden, Rodney Farmer, David Nutter, Marlon Bennett and Bob Roseman.  Honorary pallbearers are Manuel Gallardo and Carl Nutter. 

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

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