Jimmy Walker

Jimmy Walker, age 73, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away March 2, 2023, Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, KS. Jimmy was born October 28, 1949, in Welch, OK, the son of Everett Walker and Juanita (Foster) Walker.  Jimmy grew up in the North Kansas City, MO area graduating High School from Oak Park High School with the class of 1968. 

Jimmy started his working career moving houses and working with his family as a carnival worker.  In the early 1970’s he started working for Rhodes Chemical and then in 1984 he became a short-haul city truck driver for Rodeway Express in Olathe, KS.  Jimmy worked for Rodeway for 29 years.  After his retirement he was a bus driver for U.S.D. 290 Ottawa until just a few years ago. 

On May 31, 1970, Jimmy was united in marriage with Carol Sayler in Princeton, KS. She preceded him in death in 2014.  On October 10, 2015 Jimmy was united in marriage to Debbie Shaffer, she survives of their home.

Jimmy was a family man through and through.  He had several hobbies and enjoyed many things but everything he did he wanted family there to share the moment with.  He loved working on cars, putting a classic car back to running order was a real enjoyment for him, but he was most happy when his grandson was there to learn from him and help with the car.  He spent many hours in his garden and loved tending to his plants, but he really enjoyed sharing his harvest with his friends and family.  He was the family weatherman; most of his family would just call Jimmy rather than watch the news.  He already knew all the details.  He loved traveling.  He was always happy to be seeing the sights of the world; recently he really enjoyed his trips with Debbie to the south.  Jimmy had a knack for always wanting to keep learning as he grew older.  He read National Geographic magazines all the time and was always interested in how things worked.  He was also a very big football fan.  But what he loved most about football was that family came over and watched the games together.  Jimmy loved his experiences in life but they were always better for him when they were shared with his family.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Debbie Walker of Ottawa;  his children,  Pamala Daniels and spouse, Brian of Olathe, KS, Johnnie Walker and spouse, Jamie of Edgerton, KS, Jeffrey Walker and spouse, Heather of Louisville, AL, Kimberly Toot and spouse, Russell of Ottawa, Carrie Gragg, of Ottawa, Kandi Williams and spouse, Travis of Ottawa;  six siblings, Janet Stepp and spouse, Richard, of Grove, OK, Gary Walker and spouse, Kathy of Oklahoma City, OK, Denise Shoemaker of Lincoln, NE, Richard Stafford and spouse, Sherrill of Grove, OK, Brenda Kerns and spouse, Bill of Pensacola, FL, Wanda Jordan and spouse, John of Nowata, OK;  18 grandchildren, Aaron, Damian, Tyler, Grace, Molly, Carly, Elijah, Kabreya, Ashly, Brandon, Cody, Iggy, Dawn, Daimond, Levi, Fisher, Dominic, NevyJo; and  eleven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Carol Walker; his parents, Everett and Juanita Walker; grandson, Luke Calvin; great granddaughter Lyla Daniels; and daughter Buffy Thompson.

Funeral services will be Friday March 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS.  Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, in Kansas City, Kansas. The family welcomes friends for a visitation service on Thursday March 16, 2023 from 6–8 p.m. at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, KS. The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Jimmy Walker Memorial Fund c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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