James Walters

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- James Karl Walters, July 4, 1950 - May 22, 2025.

"He loved drag racing, the Beach Boys, his family and fireworks!"

James "Jim" Walters was born July 4, 1950, to Mary (Strohm) Walters and Karl Walters in Bowling Green, OH. As a toddler, Jim "helped" his mom and dad build their home on Haskins Road in Bowling Green. He always said, "BG was a great place to grow up." Every year the family vacationed in Indian River, MI on Burt Lake. They fished, took long boat rides, water skied and spent many hours on the beach. As an adult Jim had his own boat and continued summer adventures on the lake.

After high school, Jim worked for Domino's Pizza, working his way from driver to store manager, then accepted a promotion in 1971 as Field Operations Supervisor working out of Domino's headquarters in Ypsilanti, MI. He left Domino's in 1975 moving to Denver, CO to start his own pizza delivery company, Pizza Transit. While in Denver he trained and volunteered as a Denver Reserve Police officer. In 1991 he moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to attend the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs earning both his Bachelor of Science degree (Accounting) and Masters degree in Information Systems (1998). During that time, he helped care for his sister, Kristine, who struggled with Type 1 diabetes. In 1999 he moved with Kris and her husband, Ron, to Farmington, NM, continuing his care responsibilities. After Kris passed away in 2001, Jim moved back to Colorado Springs where he worked at Saint Francis Health Center as an environmental services technician until retiring in 2017.

Jim had a zest for life, always being fun to be with. While living in Denver, and later, in Colorado Springs, he attended many drag races, especially the Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway with a special group of friends every summer, purchasing the pass with the best access to the pit area, drivers and cars. With a Fourth of July birthday, Jim also enjoyed fireworks and the annual Fourth celebration. He always had the biggest and best fireworks and enjoyed spending the fourth at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs with family enjoying the symphony and the fireworks show. He also loved The Beach Boys, taking in Beach Boys' concerts when and wherever he could. His sister remembers a great dance party in their childhood home in the late 1960's, Beach Boys music blasting out of the new Heathkit™ stereo he helped his dad build.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Kristine Liss (Ron), and is survived by his sister, Susan Bell (Scott) and nieces, Lauren Bell, Julie Cole (Casey) and Jamie Bell.

Memorial gifts in Jim's honor may be made to Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.