Photo of Jim on his 70th birthday

 

Jim passed away unexpectedly on June 20th at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at the Uplands Golf Club on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

Donations can be made to any of Jim’s favourite charities: SPCA Victoria, Marmot Recovery Foundation, Nature Trust or Wild Life SOS India.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mcccallgardens.com

  • Allan Edie

    Mostly said already, but I will repeat, one of the most decent human beings I have had the pleasure of working with. He will be missed.

    To his family and close friends, my sincere condolences.

  • Patricia Marsh

    It was a privilege to know and work alongside Jim. I was his assistant for almost 15 years, through the good times and the not so good times. The things I will remember most about him – his generosity, humour, his wonderful speeches, his integrity and his love for the environment – people, animals, fish and plants, all things, all the time. His ginger cookies. His backyard lobster fests. His relentless fascination with guns and wars and Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn. His love for his East Coast family. His van. And cats! He loved his cats! I will never forget him and will always treasure our time together.

  • Penny Dewar

    For almost fifty years, Jim has been the voice of wildlife conservation in my head. We first met in the summer of 1968 at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. Jim was working on his PHD. I was working for Dr David Narver, my first biological summer job. Jim’s stories, his humour, his sincerity and intellect, his absolute love for his far-off New Brunswick family, and his well-informed concern for the wildlife of the world, all had a powerful impact on my then teenage mind. A life-long friendship began.

    As a friend Jim was always there for you with generous support. He engaged personally with absolute focus, made you feel as if your chosen project or life direction was of utmost importance. He was a friend in a million.

    British Columbia is so fortunate that Jim Walker chose to make it his second home, and that he made sure that he would do everything he could to help its wild land and life. Jim’s “everything” was huge beyond most of our understandings. He dedicated his life to the conservation of wildlife and its habitat, and to building and working with a similarly dedicated team of biologists and others. Such generosity is rarely experienced. His legacy is in how deeply he cared, in the many he taught and inspired, in the lands, waters and their inhabitants that he helped preserve. All of this has value beyond measure, ammunition to continue his good fight.

    Jim will always be missed and remembered. My sincere condolences to his family.

  • Ralph Archibald

    The champion of habitat protection in BC, an inspirational leader, an unparalleled wit, and, one of the most decent people I ever had the privilege of working for.

  • Pamela Zevit RPBio

    I remember Jim well, he supported a lot of my work on biodiversity conservation when I was at the Ministry of Environment, work that would not have continued without his keen support. An energetic, dedicated public servant who was always happy to take you out for a beer! Seems this past month has been a hard one for local environmental champions. Jim you will be missed.

  • Mike Whately

    My first memory of Jim is when we were introduced in the Vancouver airport in 1974. I was on my way to Smithers, as the brand new Regional Fisheries Biologist, after a five-year stint in Habitat Protection. Jim, of course, was on his way to Victoria to begin his career in that same organization. LIke ships passing in the night.

    We had some contact during the ensuing decade or so, but nothing of any import until I became Fish and Wildlife Manager in Nanaimo in 1986. The very first task on my first day was to determine if a farmer should be allowed to keep a cougar that he had shot in defence of his sheep. I said no, and the farmer appealed the decision to the Director of Wildlife, who, of course, was Jim Walker! Jim overturned my decision! Aargh! The next decision Jim made shortly after the cougar event was to suggest that the Wildlife Program needed a new, totally redefined set of goals and objectives, and who should lead that effort? Why, Mike Whately, of course! Double aargh! The process was a grind at first, and I didn’t particularly enjoy it. In hindsight however, I realized that Jim had done me an immense favour. He had found a way to give this erstwhile fisheries biologist a crash course in wildlife management in BC and the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with many of the movers and shakers in the Wildlife Program of the day. Invaluable.

    There were other issues and situations that brought Jim and I together. None however, as time-consuming and gut- wrenching as Clayoquot Sound, otherwise known as “the war in the woods”. Jim, of course, was instrumental in getting individuals, special interests, industry and governments to work together towards the goal of sustainable management. I was there, I saw it. It was during one of those interminable meetings that I first heard “…apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?”

    Jim was a force. He will be sorely missed.

    My sincere condolences to the family.

  • Greg Koyl

    Jim Walker was a wonderful colleague and mentor and a very special and deeply valued friend. The hurt in my heart and soul at his loss will not be quieted anytime soon.

    Greg Koyl
    gkoyl@islandnet.com

  • Jamie Alley

    My condolences to Jim’s family and all who loved him. What an amazing guy. A leader and an example to so many of us who joined government service in the 70s and 80s with his unwavering commitment and gentle humour. He cared so deeply about BC’s natural environment and passed that along to all of us who worked with him. His accomplishments are so many but his greatest legacy will be the legions of young resource managers that he mentored and inspired. We’ll miss you Jim and will continue to strive to live up to your example.

  • Denis O'Gorman

    Jim was a wonderful “one of a kind” guy. His job, his passion, and his identity were synonymous. He was committed to the cause of wildlife conservation. Referencing a discussion on mountain caribou, I recall him stating . . . “Denis . . . we’re losing!” And that was decades ago before the effects of climate change were a recognized consideration. Jim viewed the state of wildlife protection to be an indicator of the state of the world.

    Jim was a guy his colleagues liked working with. He leavened his deep concerns with witty, incisive observations. He was a dedicated and determined professional. He also liked and sponsored a good party.

    Jim will be both missed and well-remembered.

  • Ray Demarchi

    I owe a personal debt to Jim both as a friend and as a colleague. Not only did he advocate for the environment and encourage his staff to stand up for fish and wildlife, he acted as a buffer between us and the politicians who thought we should do otherwise. One of his favorite sayings when speaking publicly was, “I refuse to answer on grounds that it might incinerate me.” He started off in the Fish and Wildlife Branch when there was an emphasis on habitat protection and helped to build an effective government agency to fulfill that function. He kept advocating for the environment and the fish and wildlife resource right until the week before he died as I can attest from the many emails we shared since he retired.

  • Ann Thompson

    To Jim’s family I am sorry to learn of Jim’s passing, he was a truly unforgettable individual possessing such a keen mind and sense of humour and author of so many poems aimed at government and staff of the day. I met him at P.B.S.in Nanaimo in 1964 and remember he purchased the “student” car for $1 only to have it demolished by a fire hydrant.

    my sincere condolences. Ann Thompson, Nanaimo

  • Phil Meyer

    In 1969/70, the Province was trying to build 7 “System E” dams on the Fraser River, and up into Wells Gray Park. Then with Federal Fisheries, I remember meeting in Victoria with Jim and his boss Ed Vernon. Our objective was simple. Keep those dams off British Columbia’s rivers. Ed suggested that we “feds” deal with the Fraser system dams – while Ed and Jim would work to protect Wells Grey Park. At the end of a 4 year struggle, none of those dams were built. The rivers continued to run free. And Jim and I had begun a lasting relationship targeted at “saving fish and wildlife”.

    I was privileged to benefit from Jim’s commitment to “Wild British Columbia” – in those early days –
    and after I returned to BC in 1989 (including many “meetings”at the Carriage House).

    A particular remembrance in the 1990’s – walking into his office to discover that Jim had sent a wolf pack to Yellowstone – a first to try to reestablish wolves in that Park – that a young US Fish and Wildlife employee had her hand seriously chewed while attempting to pet the Alpha Male – and that the Alpha had to be destroyed. Jim was apoplectic – swearing he would never sent another wolf south of the border! Later, I think he relented.

    Now Jim is gone – to minister to fish, animals and birds in other worlds. I will not forget him. Nor will the rest of “us creatures” in Wild British Columbia.

  • Bev Ready

    Annabel,

    So sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. From the many condolence messages it is easy to see how he definitely was well respected by numerous communities. Cherish the memories you have of what I am sure was a loving brother.

  • Stafford Reid

    Jim was my first introduction to wildlife protection – 1974 in Habitat Protection. His rally cries were: Take No Prisoners”** and “We are working for the environment; not the Ministry of Environment”. His passion and wit… his trademark. He had battle-scars, such as his bent nose from being hit by a poacher’s paddle in New Brunswick. It was an honour and privilege to know and work for Jim. He will be missed.

    ** I believe sourced from George Custer’s last orders to his Cavalry during the battle of the Little Big Horn, Montana

  • Trudy Chatwin

    Jim was a tireless advocate for wildlife conservation. Full of good humour and wit. We will all miss him and be inspired to follow his lead.

  • John Bergenske

    Jim was undoubtedly one of the staunchest and strategic advocates for wild places and wildlife within the Victoria bureaucracy. He helped many of us in the ENGO community navigate the labyrinthine provincial bureaucracy, always with the goal of what was best for creatures and wilderness. He never hesitated to have strong opinions on the direction of the government of the day, and worked tirelessly for the places we shared a love for. Through the Ever changing landscape of provincial regimes, Jim remained an outstanding voice and effective advocate for the wild. He is greatly missed.
    The only thing out of character was hearing he had a new van, I think many of us thought both Jim and his old van would always be there. Jim had a class all of his own.

  • Bob Hart

    Over the nearly 30 years that I have known Jim, he always had time to chat, offer a thoughtful opinion on the events of the day and of course to discuss his museum collection of firearms and artifacts of the old west. Jim will be missed.

  • David Stevenson

    I am shocked. I just found out. When I applied to move from Cranbrook as an auxiliary employee to Prince George to work for Dave King, Jim recommended I do it. Jim was a good friend, a wonderful head of Habitat, a great ADM, gentle, honest, caring person for the 25 years I worked in Habitat. Whenever I was in Victoria, Jim insisted that I go have a beer with him, so he could get the “low-down” of what was happening out in the region. He was well respected by all who worked with him.

  • Ron Diederichs, Ecosystems {Habitat Protection} Section Head, Vancouver Island

    As a Habitat Protection district biologist, I didn’t know Jim as well as others, but he was a key leader of the core group at HQ that built tools, fought good fights and inspired many of us to continue to try to make a difference for the conservation of species and ecosystems of BC. A true mentor!

  • Bob Maxwell

    It was certainly an honor and privilege to know and work for Jim Walker. I think everyone in the BC Wildlife Branch was proud to have such a great and dedicated leader – and one you could just walk up to and have a chat.
    It was good to see Jim from time to time in Christie’s Pub and have a beer. My daughter and I liked to go for supper there and see Jim and say hello. On more than one occasion the waitress would say – your bill has been paid – that was J W for sure.
    And what a great legacy he left for wildlife and land in BC, future generations should know about Jim Walker.

  • Robin & Jennifer Mullett

    I will always remember the enjoyable few years working with Jim in the Counting House and Dogwood building for the Habitat protection section in 1974 to 77, before I moved on.
    Jim had such a dry sense of humour. I remember him trying to quit smoking with an oversize child’s soother hanging in his office, the “take no prisoners” necktie with red dye on it for going to meetings, his blue VW van that he used to pull his small tin boat on his many fishing trips. His wit was evident in the satirical play he wrote and directed based on “A Christmas Carol” and somehow cajoled us all into taking a role in performing it. Jennifer would often see him in the Carriage House on Thursday nights and he was always so cheery and greeted her warmly. He has left us all with many happy memories of a great friend and boss at an important but fun time in our working careers

  • Tony Hamilton

    Don’t forget who got Ogopogo protected under the Wildlife Act (I am not making that up), or who told Troy Hurtubise (of the Grizzly Suits Fame) that as a condition under his permit to harass Grizzly bears at the Elkford Dump that he had to come equipped with his own body bag……He also taught us that in habitat negotiations, to “Boys, always ask for more that what you want to get what you need”. In other words, the “other guys” never start a negotiation in the middle, at the compromise, so why should we? And, okay, some of that stuff in the collection could perhaps belong in a museum or be re-repatriated, but never mind. Jim was one of a kind, and I think many of us were very lucky to have him as a mentor, a boss, a friend, and conservation guide.

  • Gordon Halsey

    Jim was a fine gentleman and a principled professional. Regardless of our challenges, he addressed them with determination and always an extraordinary sense of humour. In our retirement years, he has been a source of fascinating history yarns drawn from his encyclopedic memory-including of course lessons on the history of guns associated with the American “wild west”
    Our retirees luncheons will not be the same without him and I expect the waitresses at the Carriage House Pub will miss him as much as will his colleagues.
    My Sincerest Condolences

  • Bruce Pendergast

    I was in Jim’s Habitat Protection Section in the 1970’s. He,was a supportive boss a great friend and a great source,of,knowledge and humor. I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with him.

  • Ken Sumanik

    Ever a gentle man…

  • David and Barbara Narver

    Annabelle and Paul,
    Jim was like a brother. We loved him as did our 4 sons who each sat on his lap hearing stories about New Brunswick at Christmas. Jim had the sharpest intellect of anyone I have ever known. I first met Jim when we were both checking in to the Pacific Biological Station about 1966. We spent a whole day talking about Atlantic Salmon and steelhead. Jim and I soon became regular deer hunting and fishing partners. I have a great many stories about Jim that have not seen daylight. I remember vividly the first time he and I went on a deer hunting trip to the north end of Vancouver Island. We got about 50 mi. north of Nanaimo and Jim said that he needed to call his Mother. We stopped at a gas station where he went in to make the phone call. When he returned to the car, he was shaking his head, laughing and muttering about mothers. When he stopped chuckling, he said, “My Mother made me promise that I was taking “an older boy” hunting. Ever since, I have been known as the “older boy.” We returned with 4 deer, skinned out and hung them in my carport overnight. Next morning, one hind portion was chewed up by neighbourhood dogs. Jim was annoyed and immediately wrote a poem entitled “an Ode to the Dog who ate my deer.” It was a classic Jim Walker effort.
    In 1974, I had a sabbatical at the Atlantic Biological Stn. in St. Andrews, N.B. Jim was at home at the time and showed me his favourite Atlantic Salmon streams which we fished. We, our family with 4 sons, met his mother and aunt and stayed at their lovely home in Newcastle, N.B.
    With Jim gone, our world seems very impoverished. We will miss him very much.
    With deepest sympathy to you and your families.

  • Buster Welch

    I’m not even sure I’ve met Jim, but via Dave Narver and our New Brunswick experience, I connected with him (and Geoff Chislett) about ten years ago. We became quite close “pen” pals on email, usually swapping jokes but also various bits of news interest, especially about wildlife issues. I was completely shocked to hear he had died, considering I was corresponding with him less than two weeks ago.

    Buster Welc

  • Doug Narver

    I was so saddened, and shocked to hear of Jim`s sudden passing. As a young teenager, I grew up
    in Nanaimo, and I remember that Jim did not live very far away from our house. My Dad, and Jim were great friends, going back to the mid sixties. I saw a lot of Jim in those early years. My parents would have Jim over for dinner quite often. He was so much fun to be around, always making us laugh. Me and my three brothers loved Jim. Im disapointed in myself that when visiting my parents in Victoria over the years, that I did not make more of an effort to see Jim. He will be missed, and I will never forget him! My condolences go out to his family.

  • Ray Travers

    Jim was the pillar of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management for my entire forestry career with the Province of British Columbia. HIs tenacity, professionalism and resolve was second to none. We all look forward to the day when our political masters support the wisdom of his ideas. For the many who continue working for the good of the resource and the citizens of our vast , diverse and beautiful Province, Jim’s leadership will inspire us all.

  • Gordon Hartman

    I worked with Jim on two hydro dam issues in the Kootenay area. He was tireless, very bright, and dedicated. One of a kind. His friends, and indeed the whole province, will miss him.

  • Carmen C. Purdy

    I was shocked to hear of Jim’s passing. I admired Jim greatly for his wisdom, fine sense of humor and loyal unselfish devotion to his friends.
    Carmen C, Purdy

  • Cassie Doyle

    I remember with pleasure working with Jim back in the nineties at what was then called MELP. As ADM, he was the lead on establishing the massive Muskwa Kechika Management Area and worked tirelessly and used his good humour and knowledge of wildlife and the players involved to bring everyone on side. It must be one of his outstanding legacies. I was so very sorry to hear of his passing. He was truly a great British Columbian and a gentle man. My condolences to his family and close friends on this loss.

  • Don Tarasoff

    Dear family:

    Please accept my condolences at this most painful time.
    I always enjoyed Jim’s company and thoughtful observations in Government and in the gun collecting community; he will be sorely missed.
    If I can be of assistance, please call

    Don Tarasoff
    Sidney, BC
    tel 250-656-4243

  • Janice D Dixon

    I will remember Jim with great fondness. He was a unique person and a very fine fellow. Rest in peace Jim.

  • Bruce Strachan

    Jim was a good friend and a trusted advisor. A true professional in all he did.

  • Rick McCloskey

    So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a fine man.

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