James R. Walkinshaw

Age 78, passed away on Sunday May 5th, 2013 in Lansing MI from a massive stroke. He was born April 1, 1935 in Battle Creek, MI to Dr. Lawrence and Clara (Cartland) Walkinshaw. Graduate of Battle Creek High School June, 1953. Graduate of General Motors Institute with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering June, 1957 and was sponsored by Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. Career spanned 33 years at Oldsmobile Division and retired in 1986 as Superintendent of Manufacturing Engineering at Delta Engine Plant. Retirement years included co-authoring with Helen Earley the Oldsmobile centennial book “Setting the Pace”, “Oldsmobile War Years Pictorial”, and “Oldsmobile the Last Chapter”. Jim and Helen also co-founded the Oldsmobile History Center.

Jim and wife Janet married on Aug 17, 1957 and celebrated their 55th anniversary this past summer with family at a long time family retreat on Lake Michigan. Preceeded in death by parents Lawrence and Clara Walkinshaw, and son Steven Walkinshaw. Survived by spouse Janet, sister Wendy Schake of Port Aransas TX, sons Ron of Stillwater MN and Alan of Plymouth MI., grandsons David, Tommy, Jimmy, and granddaughter Kelsey.

Interests and hobbies include driving a 1905 Oldsmobile. Curved Dash was Jim’s pride and joy late in life. Giving rides and explaining the Curved Dash history to his passengers was enjoyable to both. Jim volunteered his time freely at the RE Olds Transportation Museum; Amateur (Ham) radio operator W8JGB for 61 years with lifelong friends Bob Shaw and Jack Caldwell and continued with son Ron; Boy Scouts, since achieving rank of Eagle as a youth Jim became an active member of Lansing Troop 411 and 44 years of subsequent adult leadership; Jim’s interest in Railroading including building from scratch a scale model steam engine and diesel engine with a scale model track on his family farm.

Jim’s other volunteering activities included Delhi Township Planning Commission and Zoning Appeals Board and

Capital Area District Library

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be made to the:

RE Olds Transportation Museum

240 Museum Drive

Lansing, MI 48933

reoldsmuseum.org has Paypal link under “support”

Boy Scouts of America Troop 33

C/O Chris Klaver

1217 W Ionia St

Lansing, MI 48915

517-290-0998

Private Burial will be at Markham Cemetery, Grovenburg Rd, Holt, MI on Wednesday May 8th. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com