James Emil Walter

James “Jim” Emil Walter, 84, of Keokuk, passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

Jim was born on March 9, 1937, the son of Elmer and Bernice (Strohmaier) Walter. On August 22, 1959, he was united in marriage to Dena Brown of Kahoka, Missouri.

Jim was a member of First Baptist Church in Keokuk for several years and was baptized there. As a boy, he carried papers for the Daily Gate City. He graduated from Southeastern Community College and the University of Iowa with a BBA. As a member of the Army Reserves, he spent time on active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Jim was employed as a sales representative for Moore Business Forms in Des Moines where he was a member of the Moore Achievement Club. In 1964, he returned to Keokuk to work in the family roofing business. He retired from Walter’s Roofing Co, Inc, in 1999.

Jim enjoyed working in his yard, playing cards, being active in the stock market, and spending time with his family and friends.

Jim is survived by his good friend and companion Debbie Foulkes of Keokuk; two sons: Brett (Kelli Jo) Walter of Grapevine, Texas, and Michael Walter of Denver, Colorado; his brother Dave (Barb) Walter of Keokuk; his sister Marilyn (Terry) Freitag of Monticello, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren: Claire (Ben) Wilson of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Jill (Landon) Applegate of Houston, Texas, Max Walter, Allie Walter, Emma Walter and Olivia Walter, all of Denver, Colorado, and Adena Walter and Joshua Walter of Grapevine, Texas; four great-grandchildren: Luke and Anna Clair Wilson of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and Ireland and Sailor Applegate of Houston, Texas; three sisters-in-law: Sherry (Rick) Larkam of San Antonio, Texas, Pam Brown of Dallas, Texas, and Maureen Walter of Wichita, Kansas; and brother-in-law Fred Brown of Jefferson City, Missouri.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dena, his brother Dale Walter, and brothers-in-law John Brown and Bill Deck.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 4 pm on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Sandusky Cemetery in Sandusky, Iowa. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army and American Legion Post #41. A celebration of life with food will be held on directly after the graveside at Jim’s shaded front yard, 3370 Mississippi River Road, Keokuk, Iowa, 52632, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Keokuk (P.O. Box 124, Keokuk, Iowa 52632) or Outreach Sports (988 Harber Ave. Grapevine, Texas 76051) www.outreachsports.org.

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