James Carnell Walker

James Walker was born September 13, 1923 at Murray, Kentucky to Jess and Lina Walker. At the age of six the family migrated to Missouri. Between the ages of six and 12 Mr. Walker worked in the cotton fields. When he was 12 he worked 12-14 hours each day for 37 ½ cents each day if he was over 12 he would earn 75 cents for his day's labor. He continued working on the farms until he was 20, then he joined the United States Marine Corps. While he was on medical leave he married his one true love Carma Francine Shownes on July 7, 1945. He continued his Marine Corps career until his retirement on October 1, 1970. He served in the Marines during World War II and Vietnam, where he received numerous awards, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star with a Combat Star, three Purple Hearts, for wounds received during the invasion of Tarawa, Siapan, Tinian, and Okinawa. His last tour was in Vietnam. After retiring from the Marines, Mr. Walker moved to Jacksonville in October of 1971. After enrolling in the Real Estate School, he obtained his Real Estate Broker License, he and his wife Carma along with his son, Robert, started Modern Realty Company. After four years of selling real estate Mr. Walker branched out into building homes in the Jacksonville-Cabot area. He retired from business in 1993, and he and his wife bought a van, and for the next eight years they traveled throughout the United States, covering 42 states and Canada. Because of various health problems his activities were curtailed. He spent the rest of his life working in his garden and visiting friends. On April 9, 2012 Mr. Walker retired for the last time, this time from life. He was 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and one brother. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carma Walker, and two sons, Jim Walker and his wife Debra, and Robert Walker and his wife Sherrie, two grandsons Andrew Walker and his wife Megan, Blake Walker, one granddaughter Kerry Dunn, and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home with Rev. Wade Shownes officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.