James Henry Walker III

Junie, Junior, Jake, Jay, and of course James, was born in Detroit on Veteran’s Day Saturday,
November 11, 1967 – exactly twelve days before Thanksgiving, three months after the
infamous Detroit Riot, and during the highest success of the Motown sound. A long, six plus
pound baby, he was born to young, newly married parents, Carol Claypool Walker and James
Henry Walker, Jr. at northwest Detroit’s Sinai Hospital. He was the second born of mother,
Carol Claypool, and only sibling, Lameania (Mena or MeMe). In middle school he found his love
for sports. He was super athletic even though slimly built. By far, his favorite sport was
basketball. He played almost every day. He was tough to beat and talked major trash. He had
great leaping ability and could jump out the gym it seemed. He played organized ball in middle
and high school, and was recruited to play in the Police Athletic League at an early age. He also
terrorized the courts at Romanowski, Kronk, and Delores Bennett Park on the north end. He
had dreams of going pro. He attended Detroit public schools including Angell, Columbian,
Crosman, Sherrill, Priest, O.W. Holmes, Munger, Condon, and Chadsey.
He was very smart, super competitive (hated to lose), and fun to be with. He could crack on you
and have you laughing. His strengths were being a giving and loyal friend who lived life on his
own terms. He was ambitious, goal oriented, adventuresome, and a dreamer. He loved deeply
and was quick tempered. Though not perfect, he was one of a kind and special in so many ways.
He was transparent, communicative (sometimes too much), and sharp. He had the memory of
an elephant and was the kind of person everyone misses because he leaves such a big void.
He was blessed with a gift, a gift of good looks, gab, and encouragement. He was proud and
quite opinionated. He was also spoiled – maybe his order of birth had a bit to do with that, as
the baby of the family. He was the younger brother and the youngest grandchild. His love of
music was beyond mere words. Good music, old school genre was his top choice. The words
like poetry were soothing, thought provoking, and elevated him to a happy state of mind. While
music was in him and a part of him, he learned to love it the same way his mother did.
He grew up in a unique family structure which included his mother, sister, Auntie Lucille,
Grandmother Lucille, and Grandfather Edmond. He was raised in the church his entire life,
Oakland Ave Baptist Church specifically. Auntie Lucille made sure of that every Sunday. The
family first lived on Sycamore, then Ash - where he climbed crab apple trees in the Pelham
School field. The family also lived on Otsego, Clairmount, Biddle, Lumley, 31 st and 29 th near
Junction, Bangor, and East Bethune near Oakland, but on Lumley, without a doubt, was where
he made life long friends including his best friend, LaDell (Sean) Williams. They were
inseparable and the brother he needed and always wanted.
He lived in the Detroit area most of his life and also spent a few years in Seattle, WA. Four years
ago, his heart string led him to move back to Detroit to connect with his two wonderful
daughters, Tierra and Tiesha. He achieved that goal and while there God added a grandson,

Tyree. He also shared his life with Marion (Mel) Stevenson. He will truly be missed by all.
Replicate his gift - Encourage Someone Every day!
He was preceded in death by his mother Carol (Claypool) Walker; father James H. Walker Jr.;
maternal grandparents, Lucille (Crumpton) Claypool and Edmond Claypool; Aunt and Uncle
Metzie (Bezenah) Carter and Eugene Carter; Uncle Howard Fortune; Cousins James Carter and
Antonio Carter.
He leaves to cherish his memory: sister Lameania Bridges (Kelvin); niece Lakelle Bridges;
daughters Tierra Womble and Tiesha Paynes; grandson Tyree Wilson; aunt Lucille Hawkins
(Keith); cousins Eli Carter; Gloria Williams (Tracy); Carlos Manning; special friend Marion
Stevenson; best friend LaDell (Sean) Williams; and other relatives and friends.