James “Jim” Walker, 95, of Hopkinsville, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Friday, March 20, 2026, at Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Huck officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville, KY. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the funeral hour at the funeral home. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Providence, KY, he was born on October 11, 1930, to the late Albert Ray and Ona Pearl (Davidson) Walker. James was a member of First United Methodist Church.
James served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his service, he attended Western Kentucky University, graduating in 1958 with a B.S. in Biology and M.A. in 1962. In 1958, he took a job teaching chemistry and coaching basketball and baseball at Alvaton High School in Warren County, KY. In 1963, James became a special agent in the FBI, serving in Kansas City, New York, and Washington, D.C.
In 1965, he began his career in healthcare, taking a job as the Administrative Coordinator of Laboratory Services at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. In 1967, James helped establish the Pennyroyal Mental Health Center in Hopkinsville, KY, serving as Business Administrator. In 1970, James joined Jennie Stuart Medical Center as the Assistant Administrator until 1974, when he was named CEO of the hospital, serving in that role until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure as CEO, Jim led the hospital’s modernization through a three-phase process. Phase One was completed in 1975 and housed the current radiology and lab departments. Phase Two was completed in 1979 and featured the pharmacy, critical care units, emergency department, central sterile and surgical services. Phase Three was completed in 1982 with the construction of an eight-story patient care tower. In 1990, he oversaw the addition of the Wallace Medical Arts Building and the E.C. Green Cancer Center.
James was active in the community as a member of the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge #73, a founding member of Western Hills Golf Course, serving as Secretary from 1982 to 2002, an original contributor to University Heights Academy, and a board member of the Hopkinsville Welfare Association. James also served as a board member and President of Western Kentucky Hospital Association, board member of the Kentucky Hospital Association, and board chair of the Pennyrile Area Health Education System.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his first wife, Debbie Crawford Walker; his sisters, Catherin Hearin, Jewel Poole, Ruth Grimm, Betty Ann Tems; and his brothers, Dennis Walker, J.K. Walker, and Don Walker.
He is survived by his second wife, Anita Cartwright Walker, a son, Eric (Drue) Walker of Bowling Green, KY, his granddaughters Lauren Walker (Logan) Green of Nashville, TN, Hannah Walker of Covington, KY, and Catherine Walker of Lexington, KY; his great-grandsons: Walker Green and Stetson Green; and many nieces and nephews.
James will be remembered for his love and devotion to God, family, and friends. He was a great listener and always there to coach and support those he met and worked with in becoming the best versions of themselves. He enjoyed cheering others on to success. He also loved coaching church basketball, fishing, watching WKU and UK basketball, and golfing with his buddies.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the following: Jennie Stuart Health Foundation, Pennyroyal Hospice, and the James Walker Scholarship Fund c/o College Heights Foundation, 1703 Chestnut St., Bowling Green, KY 42101 at Western Kentucky University.
