James Edward Walther

James Edward Walther was born on April 11, 1941, in Clearfield, PA, and died on October 4, 2025, in Collierville, TN, after a short illness. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Walther, his stepmother Margaret Walther and a baby daughter, Marcia Walther.

Jim loved music, and in his youth, he enjoyed playing saxophone and created a little jazz combo that played at events and school dances. After a short time at Lockhaven State College, he joined the US Army, starting his long career at Fort Benjamin Harris, IN. Over the 21 years, he served in New York, Georgia, France, Washington D.C., Viet Nam, California, and Missouri. Jim loved being in the Army. He began as a private E1, rose to E7, went to Officer Candidate School and retired as a Major in 1981. He served with the 101St Airborne in Viet Nam.

He met and married Carol Hughey when her father and he were both stationed at Fort Jay in New York. They met in the chapel choir. Their 5 daughters were born in Arkansas, France, Washington D.C. and California. At the birth of their first daughter he said, “I don’t know what to do with girls.” He was assured that he would learn that girl’s interests were not that much different from boy’s interests, and he would do fine.

After his ‘first’ retirement, the family moved to Arlington, TX, where he completed his MBA at the University of Texas at Arlington. He then went on to became the MBA Advisor for the College of Business and later became the Director of Graduate Studies. He served 25 years at the University of Texas at Arlington. While he taught management subjects, his favorite class was a team-taught class in career planning which he initiated and participated in as part of a team. He believed that this class helped many graduate students find the career path that was truly best for them.

Jim has always been active in his church over the years either by singing in the choir, leading Bible studies or by serving on committees. Jim was also active in the Kiwanis Club where he held various leadership positions in local clubs and the Texas-Oklahoma District. His passion was helping with the start of new clubs. Because of his vision, he helped the Arlington Kiwanis Clubs launch the Arlington Alliance for Youth, a 501c3 non-profit committed to promoting the Five Promises to youth that was encouraged by America’s Promise. After his retirement from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), he focused his vision and energy on helping this organization to grow and reach as many young people as possible.

Over the course of his life, Jim strove for excellence and was recognized for his many contributions by earning numerous awards from the Army, UTA, Kiwanis and other community organizations. One such honor was when the Mayor of Arlington, TX proclaimed October 29, 2013, as “Jim Walther Day” recognizing his long history of community involvement in the Arlington area.

Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol, his 4 daughters: Laura Bohanan (Mark) from Ukraine, Brenda Stovall (Dave) from Collierville, TN, Karla Walnofer (Ted) from Tea, SD, and Shana Case (Eric) from West Dundee, IL, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, a brother, David Walther of Compton, CA, plus many friends and former students.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The James and Carol Walther Graduate Assistantship in the Goolsby Leadership Academy, UTA Box 19198, Arlington, TX 76019 or Collierville Christian Church, PO Box 1706, Collierville, TN 38027.