James Robert Walker

James R. Walker ended his 25-year fight with cancer in the loving care of his family and friends in Arkansas. Born in Concord to Grace E. (Reister) and Elmer James Walker of Grant Street, on the Heights. He attended Concord schools. As a teen, he volunteered at the Concord Airport and accepted flight lessons instead of pay. He attended the Bartlett School of Tree Arbor Culture and was later employed by Bartlett Tree Company. He was the Tree Surgeon for the N.H. State Hospital before starting his own business. He owned and operated Walker Tree Experts Company with his wife from 1950 – 2000 and later A1 Golf Carts. Walker was a member of the International Society of Arbor Culture. He was a past president of the N.H. Arborist Association. He was one of 250 arborists invited to Washington, D.C. to brainstorm on how to fight the Dutch Elm disease that wiped out our nations Elm trees. Also, he proposed and was successful getting legislation passed with State Rep. Welch to have N.H. be the 21st state to designate the last Friday in April as Arbor Day.

For over 20 years, Walker put the Christmas lights on the light poles on Main Street, decorated the State House tree, and erected the manger on the State House Plaza for Christmas. Jim was a long-term member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He finally took time to earn his pilot’s license at 81.

He was predeceased by his wife, Cecile C (Heath) Walker; his sister, Corinne C. Walker and his son, John M. Walker.

He is survived his loving sister, Barbara P. Kazlauskas of Falmouth, MA; his daughters, Corinne Grace (Walker) Larkin of Kansas, Carol Ann (Walker) Belanger of Arkansas; a son, James R. Walker Jr. and his wife, Kathleen of Maine; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Walker of Arkansas; his nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

A wake will be held at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St. Concord on Tues., October 4, 2016 from 4 pm to 7 pm and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Rd Concord at 10 am Wed., October 5, 2016. Jim will be buried next to his wife in Blossom Hill Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation to your local Hospice or the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.