JAMES WADE WALKER
On June 18, 2022, James Wade Walker (Jimmy, Jim), passed away at the age of 64 from brain cancer. Such a beautiful and strong name for a wonderful human being. A giver, a seeker. A man filled with love, joy, compassion and understanding. He was my husband, my love, companion and friend. His smile and kind heart are truly missed.
Though born in Marysville, CA in 1957, Jim was a Chico(an) through and through. His family moved to Chico when he was only four. He was one of eight children born to Gene and Betty Walker. The fifth child, one of three boys and five girls. They grew up in a neighborhood close to Parkview Elementary, making Bidwell Park the stomping grounds for Jim and his siblings. He loved growing up in Chico in the 60s and 70s and loved his big family. He went to Parkview, Chico Junior High, and Chico Senior High (class of 1975).
Jim had several hobbies but running was a way of life for him. It was in junior high and high school where he fell in love with cross country and all
things track due heavily to the positive impact of coach Chuck Sheley. He developed lifelong friendships through running. He loved the training process, the competition, and the discipline. He competed in two Iron man triathlons (1982, 1983), multiple marathons, triathlons, duathlons and cycling events (he loved cycling too). One of Jim’s favorites was the Lake Tahoe Relay—a weekend spent in a beautiful place, doing what he loved with friends. Up until his death, Jim ran regularly with his wonderful friends, the Original A Team (OAT). In fact, he maintained many meaningful friendships from his youth. Jim cherished his friends; they were like family to him.
From 1975-1978 Jim attended Butte College. He would hitchhike to campus with a cardboard sign, “Chico” written on one side and “Butte college” on the other. One of the people who picked him up encouraged him to check out the Paramedic Program. And he did. Jim began his career as a Paramedic at Community Hospital in the late 70’s. He worked on their air ambulance. They went on rescue missions all over California. Jim was even-tempered and patient, the perfect person for this high stress job. He was honored to be able to help others in their time of need. He transferred to Enloe Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) in the early 80’s. When Enloe developed the FlightCare program in 1985, Jim was on the original crew. He considered his time in the ED his “roots” and loved working there.
While working at Enloe Jim met and married Patty Schaefer. They were married in 1985 and welcomed their first-born in 1986 and second in 1990. Together they raised two amazing sons, Nicolas and Thomas Walker. Jim was extremely proud of Nick and Tom; of the people they became. He had many roles in life and being their dad was his absolute favorite. They share many of the same attributes and loves: appreciation of life, kindness, compassion, the great outdoors, music, humor, reading, sports… He loved their connection and loved them beyond words. Jim was blessed to his core to spend his last few months just being with them. Beautiful and precious moments shared; memories made. He was tears-ofjoy grateful.
Jim sought change and growth and he continued evolving into the person and professional he wantg
p p ed to be. He furthered his education, receiving his BA in Physical Education in 1985 and his MPA in 1995, both from CSU Chico. In 1991 he received is AS degree in Nursing from The Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York. He then attended the FNP/PA program at UC Davis, graduating to become a Physician Assistant in 1997. He collaborated with wonderful doctors for whom he had admiration, love, and respect. He worked in family practice, Enloe ED, Enloe Prompt Care, Enloe’s Surgical Optimization Clinic and Glenn Medical Center. He genuinely loved the staff he was surrounded by and considered them family. For Jim, every day was an opportunity to help someone, to listen and provide comfort through understanding and care. Again, he was grateful.
In addition to his work in the medical field, Jim was a public servant. Striving to make the world a better place and specifically the community of Chico. Jim loved living in Chico and considered it his forever home. His hope was to contribute to making Chico a wonderful place to live, raise a family, run, cycle, work, and play. Living here for 60 years, he was dedicated to serving his community and considered it an honor. Bidwell Park was his home away from home and he was enthusiastic about maintaining it for future generations. He was on the CARD Board of Directors (1990-1998), Bidwell Park and Playground Commission (2003-2007) and the Chico City Council, both as a Council Member (2008-2012) and Vice Mayor (2010-2012). He wanted to be effective one person and one issue at a time and be present in every situation. Jim was the best listener. He was gifted at making you feel like you were the only person in the room. His baby blues focusing in, paying attention to every word. Asked if he always enjoyed politics, his response was, “no.” He was not into politics, but public service. It was serving the public and working together to find the best solutions for our beloved town. Public service because he loved people, his community of Chico and Bidwell Park.
His heart was full of love for family, friends, and for his community.
I had the honor of being married to Jim, in April we celebrated six years. We were grateful, happy and life was good. When we married, he became a stepfather, a son-by-love, father-in-law, and papa Jim. He embraced my family and friends as his own. And they embraced him!
When Jim was diagnosed in March, we were advised that his time would be short. Jim wanted to celebrate the life he was living and had lived. He was able to spend precious time with family and friends, to share his love and say goodbye. We had three celebrations of Jim’s life prior to his passing. He would say, “who gets to do this?” He had so many wonderful visits, walks, shared meals (ice cream is a meal, right?), and I know he felt the love. He had wished for his life to be longer, but he felt an immense amount of love and joy for each moment. He was not in pain, he was not afraid, he was at peace. He did not consider death the end, but a new beginning. He was an inspiration; he was beautiful at living and dying. He referred to himself as “the luckiest man,” but we were the lucky ones. His impact immeasurable and his memory treasured.
Jim was predeceased by his parents: Laurens (Gene) Walker and Elizabeth (Betty) Walker and by his sister Mary Jayne Walker Amidon.
Jim is survived by: His (wife) Kami Walker, (sons) Nicolas Walker and Thomas Walker, (mother of his children) Patty Schaefer, (step-children) Sophie Stanley Derucher and Robert Derucher and Sawyer and Rachelle Stanley, (grandsons) Johnnie Stanley, Isaac Derucher and Dylan Derucher, (siblings) Patricia (Trish) Walker Davy and Bob Davy, Donald (Don) Walker and Jean Walker, Elizabeth (Lisa) Walker Brown and Bob Brown, Laurens (Dave) Walker, Susan (Sue) Walker Shroy and Sigel Shroy, Judith (Judy) Walker Johnston and Jeff Johnston, (Kami’s parents) Ron and Terry White, so many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. All precious to Jim.
An open house in honor of Jim will be held Sunday, September 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the home of Jim and Kami Walker, 764 E. Seventh Street, Chico, CA.