James Roger Walser

James Roger Walser -

Born August 2, 1944…..And then came his DASH…..What you might call, the rest of the story….Born to Maurice and Jean Katherine Walser, he was a trouble maker from the start. Terrorizing his mom and older sister…The sound of mom yelling…Jimmmmmy was constantly heard ringing thru the rooms of their home in Peoria, ILL. He was a 1962 graduate of Peoria High School. After attending Bradley University, he took his theatrical talents to the big city of Chicago where he worked for Midwest Television as a Promotions Manager. During those three years, he was lucky enough to spend an evening with Chicago/Peoria Legends, Harry Caray and Pete Vonachen, he was their “driver”. A story that he would tell again and again. Bored and restless, he decided that the US Army would be his next stop…Military intelligence – information Specialist – 101st Airborne Division. His Army career lasted two years and to this day – We are still not sure exactly what he did. Classified was all we ever heard!  After his discharge, the kids were born – James Roger Walser II in 1972 and Jason Andrew Walser in 1974 – They continue to be the light of his life. And then it was back to TV and Video Production, starting at Caterpillar Tractor Company, where he met lifelong friend and Lake Sidekick Mark Shelton; Working on the TV Shows Hill Street Blues and Mary Tyler Moore; Various Commercials and eventually leading him to Akron Ohio and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. In 1986, he moved to Akron and took a position as a Senior Producer. He could be found around Highland Square during Happy Hour – gobbling up the Free Appetizers and cheap drinks – Damn that alimony! The price he paid for being single! Little did he know that the single life was going to be short lived, mutual friends thought Jim needed a little taming so they introduced him to Judy Shaffer and the rest is history. They were married in 1991 and he inherited four additional kids. We are still wondering if he thought that was a blessing or a curse…. In 1995, Goodyear decided that Jim had better things to do with his time – They eliminated his position. Sometimes, God gives you gifts when you least expect them. He didn’t know it at the time but he could finally use his greatest talent…And that Talent …He never met a stranger. Every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. He always saw the good in people. Sometimes that is all that he would see, even if no one else could see it. This talent lead him to his true calling – Alcoholic and Drug Addiction, Recovery Coach. In 15 years, Jim has coached 100’s of men and women. Some successes and many losses, but he kept going and he kept smiling. Jim’s Dash: He lived, He laughed, He loved and He left. Smiling the entire time. He Left us on April 9, 2021 – He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Luke Walser and nephew Brad Bateman. He is survived by his wife, Judith A Walser; His Sister, Gwen; Six Children; 10 Grandchildren; Nieces and Nephews and 100’s of friends he met thru his 76 years on this earth. Funeral Services will be held on April 15, 2021 at Billows Funeral Home, 85 North Miller Road, Akron. Family and Friends may visit from 3:00 – 6:00 with a service immediately following. If you are unable to attend the service, it will be live-streamed on Jim Walser’s Facebook Page. In Lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to Say No to Dope…www.charitynavigator.com or The Pantry at Journey Covenant Church 2879 Northhaven Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 – Memo Pantry.