James Theodore Walkenhauer

James "Jim" T. Walkenhauer passed away Monday, May 12, 2014 at Chesterley Meadows in Yakima. Jim was born on December 17, 1928 to Frank and Bertha (Steele) Walkenhauer in Yakima.

Jim was married on February 27, 1947 to Mildred (Reynolds) Walkenhauer for 63 years.

He lived his whole life in the Ahtanum valley. He loved playing softball and continued to play for many years. Jim worked many jobs before going into the U.S. Navy at 17 years old in December 1945-October 1947 serving on the USS AJAX in the South Pacific. He was a proud member of the U.S. Navy Operations Crossroads testing the Atomic Bomb.

Jim was a partner in Glascam Builders Inc. for nearly 40 years building custom homes and condos in the valley. He loved hunting and jeeping with friends and family.

He is survived by his daughter, Janet (Jack) Archer; sons, Jim (Barbara) Walkenhauer, John (Sue) Walkenhauer all of Yakima; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; sister, Luella Walker of Yakima and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bertha; sisters, Alice Bale, Anita Abby and Ada Gibson; brothers, Wendel and Henry; and his wife, Mildred.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim's memory to the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospice in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A Funeral Service will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 16th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Burial with Military Honors will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. Those wishing to share a memory of Jim, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.