Criminal justice professor Walker will be missed

Members of the Grand Valley community are mourning the loss of a popular professor and one of the founders of the School of Criminal Justice. James 'Jimmy' Walker died of a massive heart attack at his home on January 16, at the age of 56.

His passing is a 'sudden and emotional loss for the department, not only for the faculty and staff, but for the students,' said interim criminal justice director Jim Bolger.

'He was an inspirational professor as far as getting people interested in the field of criminal justice,' Bolger said. An associate professor, Walker was especially enthusiastic about teaching introductory courses, 'because they're the foundation on which he could build interest and create a spark for criminal justice work within younger students.'

Walker joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1977 and was instrumental in establishing the School of Criminal Justice. Last year he received his 25-year service award from the university.

Prior to coming to Grand Valley, he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and began his professional career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He received his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1975.

Bolger said that Grand Valley, and the criminal justice department in particular, will miss Walker's passion for teaching and his outgoing and friendly manner.

Walker is survived by his wife, Margaret Sellers Walker, associate director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley, and his son and step-children. Memorial contributions are being directed to the Concerned Citizens Council's Building for Our Youth Campaign, at 745 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49503.