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Jim Walker Obituary
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James 'Jim'
E. Walker
WALKER, James "Jim" E. -- Age 83, a resident of Roseburg, Oregon passed away Sunday, April 7, 2002. Jim was born April 30, 1918 in Oakridge, Oregon to Earl and Grace Walker. Grace was a descendant of Joseph Hill, a pioneer who settled in Pleasant Hill in 1853. Earl was the son of William Walker, also a pioneer who settled in Pleasant Hill. Jim was raised in Oakridge, Oregon. Jim began in 1934 as an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 165 in Oakridge as a sophomore in High School. Jim took Oregon Trail Council troops to the National Jamboree three times: in 1950 to Valley Forge, in 1953 to Irvine, California and in 1957 again to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Twice Jim took his troops to Philmount Scout Ranch and once up into Canada on a very extended trip. Jim served in the U.S. Army from April of 1942 to October of 1945. He was a Medic in Patton's 4th Armored Division. He was highly decorated with the Silver Star for heroism, five Bronze Stars with oak leaf cluster and a Purple Heart. Jim was also awarded the Silver Beaver on December 12, 1954, which is the highest award in Scouting. Jim married Lelia Walker in 1958 in Sutherlin, Oregon . They lived in Oakridge, Oregon and then moved to Port Melon, British Columbia where he spent most of his working years. After he retired, Jim moved to Roseburg, Oregon. Several years ago Jim served many years, no one remembers how many, at Camp Baker on the coast and Camp Melakwa up the mountains near the Three Sisters as a staff member, right through his 83rd birthday. Jim was Grand Marshall for the V.F.W. parade in Lane County for being the most decorated veteran at that time in Lane County. Jim held the Scouter's Key and was a Vigil Honor Member of The Order of The Arrow, the highest honor in Scouting's fraternal organization. Jim was awarded in 2002 the first "Spirit of The Fir" award for leadership, legacy, and being a role model in the Douglas Fir District. This was awarded by Tom Leech, Chairman, Russ Moan, District Commissioner and Don Wright, District Executive. The Douglas Fir District has declared Sunday, April 14, 2002 as "Jim Walker Day" throughout Douglas County and the Oregon Trail Council. Jim's survivors include his spouse, Lelia Walker, Sutherlin; two step-sons, Bruce Long, Sutherlin and Brent Long, Roseburg; brother, Donald Walker, Sr., Oakridge; sister, Doris Sayer, Eugene, Oregon; two nieces, Karen James, Maui, Hawaii and Michelle Ayers, La Pine, Oregon; two nephews, Lacy Sayre, Springfield, Oregon and Donald Walker, Jr., Oakridge; and several grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held 2:30 pm., Sunday, April 14, 2002 at the Church of Christ in Tri City, Oregon. Contributions can be sent to Oregon Trail Council, 2525 Centennial Blvd, Eugene, Oregon, 97401 for a Living Memorial in Jim's name at Camp Baker.
Last updated 12-02, Chris McCullough