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Obituary added by Judy H (#47935141)
OBITUARY - WALKER
A great, kind and generous man, JAMES HARRIS WALKER, passed away on August 28, 1997 and returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father, having lived an honorable, exemplary life of achievement coupled with humility.
The eldest of 12 children, Harris was born November 28, 1912 to James H. and Mary Elizabeth Ann (Fannye) Harris Walker in Raymond. They had come north to Canada near the turn of the century and were instrumental in both church and community, his father serving a term as an MLA in the Alberta Legislature. The Walker's were a...
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Obituary added by Judy H (#47935141)
OBITUARY - WALKER
A great, kind and generous man, JAMES HARRIS WALKER, passed away on August 28, 1997 and returned to the presence of his Heavenly Father, having lived an honorable, exemplary life of achievement coupled with humility.
The eldest of 12 children, Harris was born November 28, 1912 to James H. and Mary Elizabeth Ann (Fannye) Harris Walker in Raymond. They had come north to Canada near the turn of the century and were instrumental in both church and community, his father serving a term as an MLA in the Alberta Legislature. The Walker's were a large and loving family who valued hard work and excellence in academics and athletics. Harris learned to work on the farm as a small boy, and accompanied his dad to may basketball games and track meets. After completing Normal School at 19, Harris taught Grades 7-11 in a two room schoolhouse at Kimball. Later, he received a Bachelor's degree from BYU in Zoology.
He met Beth Russell of Lethbridge when she was 16 and later told her that he knew instantly that she was the girl he would marry. They were married September 17, 1937 in the Cardston Alberta Temple. Harris taught school that year, driving a horse and buggy into town from the farm where he milked 33 cows every morning, fed the pigs and chickens, and put in a good day's work before school even began. Harris decided to change careers and graduated from McGill with an M.D. in 1943, second in his class, and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society.
During his 20 years in general practice in Raymond, Dr. Walker delivered over 2,000 babies, several of whom were named after him. His desire to expand his knowledge and serve his patients better, led Dr. Walker to enter a plastic surgery residency at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. He became a board-certified plastic surgeon, practicing in the emergency rooms of LDS Hospital, Primary Children's Medical Centre and all of the other Salt Lake valley hospitals. He was well known and well liked by his colleagues and was named Physician of the Year by Primary Children's Medical Centre, the year before his retirement, at the age of 74 years.
Harris was a faithful and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He filled an honorable mission to Eastern Canada, served 14 years in 2 bishoprics in Raymond, and also High Priest Group Leader and temple worker. After retiring from medicine, he served as the President of the Primary Children's Medical Centre Branch in Salt Lake City, using both his medical knowledge and spiritual understanding to administer to the needs of the young patients and their families. He was generous to all in need and lived a life of Christ-like love.
Aside from his family and medical practice, Harris' greatest love was athletics, especially track and field. He won 41 Alberta Championship medals, 5 Quebec championship medals and 7 Canadian championship medals. He was a conference champion by the BYU track team and as a student, administered BYU's intramural program. For his track and field accomplishments, he was named Best All-Around Athlete in Alberta for both 1930 and '31. He competed in the National Trials for the 1936 Olympics and took second in the long jump, third in the triple jump and third in the 110 meter hurdles, but Canada could only send one athlete in each event. He excelled at pole vault and the decathlon and also played basketball with the Raymond High School team, the Idlers, the Calgary Normal School team and the Union Jacks all of which won provincial championships. Raymond elected him to the Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Harris was known for his wit and humor. Just a few weeks before his death, as the family watched excerpts form the July 24th rodeo on TV, his son asked, "Dad, have you ever ridden a bucking bronco?" Harris reply was, "Not intentionally." Harris' favorite pastime was gardening. His gorgeous flower beds and lush fruit trees were a delight to many passersby, who would stop to smell the exotic roses or to pluck an apple or an apricot.
Harris and Beth had a wonderful, warm marriage which endured for 60 years. They were true soul mates who shared everything, including raising their large family, Harris adored his grandchildren, for whom he had many affectionate nicknames. such as "Hounder" and "Pee Wee". He was very proud of his family.
Harris is survived by his wife, Beth; plus 4 sons and 3 daughters: James R. Walker (Sharon) of Laie, Hawaii, William R. Walker (Vicki) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Helen W. Jones (Walter) of Salt Lake City, Utah, David R. Walker (Claudia) of Rexberg, Idaho, Barbara M. Murdock (David) of Austin, Texas, Joan W. Lelis (Craig) of Salt Lake City, Utah, T. Russell Walker (Aleese) of Bountiful, Utah. He is also survived by 30 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and 8 younger brothers and sisters: Beth W. Zemp (Earl), Fay H. Walker (Elsie), Mary W. Fairbanks (Paul), Jane W. McMullin (Nolan), Dr. Robert H. Walker (Barbara), Ralph H. Walker (Michelle), Reed H. Walker (Marilyn) and Dr. Glen H. Walker (WillaRae).
Funeral Services will be held in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Raymond Stake Centre, on Friday, September 5, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. with President William R. Walker officiating. Interment in the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta.
CHRISTENSEN SALMON FUNERAL HOME, Lethbridge, AB.
Printed in THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD, Lethbridge, AB.
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