Dr. James R Walt III

Dr. JAMES R. WALT III, age 87, of Little Rock, passed away at his home, Saturday morning, Feb. 26, 2011. Jim joins his parents, James Riggs Walt II and Myrtle Mathews Walt of Altheimer, Ark.; his beloved wife of 44 years Edna Elizabeth (Betty) Becker Walt, and his daughter; Elizabeth Becker Walt. He is survived by his three sons; James Riggs Walt IV (St. Louis, Mo.), Richard Paul Walt (Camden, Ark.), David Mathews Walt and his wife Lindsey Birmingham Walt (Little Rock, Ark.); sister, Jean Walt Stallings and the late Alan Stallings Sr. (Little Rock, Ark.); brother, Jesse P. Walt and his wife Katy Walt (Altheimer, Ark.); sister-in-law Carolyn Winburn and the late Hardy Winburn IV (Little Rock, Ark.); numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Jim was born on Feb. 16, 1924 in Altheimer, Ark. Jim grew up in Altheimer and graduated from Altheimer High School. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was Honor Pledge of his class. He went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, M.D. 1946. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Korea 1947-49. Upon finishing his residency at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.; he settled in Little Rock to practice general surgery. Dr. Walt taught as an Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Walt began private practice from the Donaghey Building and served many hospitals. He moved to the Doctors Building upon its completion. He was part of the group of physicians and businessmen who built the Doctors Building and later Doctors Hospital in central Little Rock and served as Chief of Staff at Doctors from 1974-79. Dr. Walt served in the American College of Surgeons; Arkansas Academy of Surgeons; Pulaski County Medical Society; American Medical Association; Southwestern Surgical Congress; and as a past president of the American Cancer Society (Arkansas Divsion). In February 1964, Jim's life greatly improved when friends Betty and Jim Stuckey introduced him to Betty Becker on a blind date. From that point forward Betty, the boys, and medicine dominated his days. Jim was a loving husband, father, loyal friend, and gifted surgeon. He loved being with his family and friends; especially spending time at their family cabin on Greers Ferry Lake. He was a Mason of the 32nd Degree. He loved aviation from an early age and attained his private pilot's license. Jim was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, in which he took great pleasure in his last years. Special thanks to special family friend, Mrs. Isa Bella Parker. Thank you to Nettie Curley and Amalia Farcas of Brightstar Healthcare for their loving and attentive care to our father. Thank you also to Laura Collins for her special kindness. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 at Ruebel Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at First United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Ark. officiated by Rev. Dr. Michael Mattox. A short reception will follow before the family proceeds to internment in Camden. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com