James Edward Walsh

A memorial service for James Edward Walsh, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 14, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Walsh passed away peacefully at 10:59 a.m., Thursday, September 30, 2021, at his home, with his family by his side.  

He was born March 15, 1935 at Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles Walsh and Lucille Seiberling Walsh.  Jim attended White Church Catholic School for his first five years, then Columbia, Missouri, and Rangely, Colorado, where his mother and step-father, Lawrence Champieux, had a photography studio and gift shop.  The family moved back to West Plains and he attended West Plains High School where he was a Zizzer, graduating with the Class of 1953.  On June 11, 1982, he was married at Mt. Home, Arkansas, to Judy Gay.  Mr. Walsh entered the Border Patrol at El Paso, Texas, in 1958, and advanced to ranks of United States Immigration Inspector, Investigator and Officer in Charge, serving in Miami, Detroit, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Reno, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma City.  He loved his career in law enforcement.  He was a good and kind boss, and he helped promote many of his subordinates.  He cared deeply about justice and just treatment of all.  Jim loved meeting with his Border Patrol Academy classmates, when possible, to talk about the good times they each had during their careers with the Department of Justice.  He was a good man, husband, and father.  Mr. Walsh loved his family and his country; he was a farm boy at heart.  He enjoyed his time as a Boy Scout Leader, and loved traveling and exploring new places.  After his retirement, he and Judy moved to Dora, Missouri, where they renovated the old farm house and raised cattle.  They moved to West Plains and built duplexes with his brother-in-law, and dear friend, Dick Watkins.  Mr. Walsh was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his beloved wife Judy; two children, Jessie Walsh, Bradenton, Florida, and Matthew Walsh, West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, John, Blanding, Utah; one sister, Christy Stephens, Trabuco Canyon, California; one brother-in-law, Kenneth Gay and wife, Cyndy, Minden, Louisiana; many nieces and nephews; and his “big boy”, Petey.

His parents and one son, Ed Walsh, preceded him in death.  

A private inurnment service for the immediate family will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.