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James “Jim” Walker, one of Pleasanton’s former city managers who was involved in the development of the Hacienda Business Park and other projects in the 1980s, died on Christmas Eve while in hospice care in New Mexico. He was 85.
His wife, La Vern Walker, told the Weekly on New Year’s Eve that they both enjoyed their time in Pleasanton and that she couldn’t have asked for a better life with her childhood sweetheart.
“It’s been a good life with Jim,” she said. “I’m very blessed to have that.”
Walker was born in Alamogordo, N.M., on July 14, 1939 and grew up in Truth or Consequences — a city originally named Hot Springs before its residents petitioned to rename it after a radio show — before moving to California with his parents at the age of 10.
It was at that age that he met La Vern. He was just a little kid with a cowboy hat at the time, but even then she knew she had met someone special.
“He was just a wonderful person,” she said.
After having served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, Walker graduated from Sacramento State University in 1967. That same year, he learned about a job working for the city of Pleasanton during a family visit.
During the following 12 years, Walker moved through the ranks of the finance department before eventually becoming the director of finance. After that, he served as the assistant city manager before officially becoming the city manager in 1980.
According to an old newspaper article from September 1989, Walker was highly regarded in his role and that without him, the Hacienda Business Park development might not have gone through.
La Vern said she and her husband loved everything about Pleasanton during their time there and that her husband loved his job as the city manager.
But even though he loved his job, Walker had a bigger dream — to be a rancher. That’s why the two retired in 1990 and moved back to New Mexico where they lived their lives on a cattle ranch.
From having to use kerosene lanterns to hauling their own water, the two lived on their ranch until 2010 when they then retired that lifestyle for a quieter one in their home in Elephant Butte, N.M., where La Vern currently lives.
She said during the 66 years of marriage and over 70 years of knowing her husband, she couldn’t think of just one good memory because she felt as if every day with him was a blessing.
“He was a very, very good, kind, gentle, just a high quality person,” she said. “(He) just always wanted to do the best and think the best of people.”
She said in the end, she was happy knowing her husband was now at peace after he spent his last years in hospice care and that she will treasure all the years she was able to spend with him.
“They’ve been wonderful years,” she said.
Walker is survived by his wife, La Vern Walker, and his sister, Kim (Walker) Lucero.
There will also be a celebration of life event planned for him on Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Truth or Consequences, N.M.
This is such sad news. Jim was a great person and city manager who helped shape Pleasanton into what it is today. It’s hard to find people who are friendly, kind, focused, and determined like he was. He has been missed since leaving Pleasanton, but he loved the open country, so it was understandable he left. Thank you for everything you did for me and the city.
Jim was a commonsense person with a great understanding of municipal finances. He was very good at separating his administrative responsibility. His message to Council and Mayors was you set the policy and take care of the politics, and I will operate the City.
Jim understood the importance of local jobs for local residents. He had the confidence and courage to advise (privately ) Councilmembers when he disagreed with them. He was trustworthy. He hired good department leaders and had the courage to make a change if things did not work out to the City’s benefit.
Jim and LaVerne were a wonderful pair of people.
The world needs more Jim Walkers.