James O. Walling

James O. “Jim” Walling, 86 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Plains Regional Medical Center following an illness. Jim was born May 31, 1927 in Clovis, NM to the home of Olen and Dessa Lee (Smith) Walling. He grew up in Clovis where he attended school. He participated in football while at Clovis and graduated in 1945. Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army on August 23, 1945 and honorably discharged on January 22, 1947. Jim served with the 109th Quartermaster Detachment, he received the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Jim married Emily Parten on July 8, 1950 in Madisonville, TX. They made their home in Clovis where Jim worked with his father, a Registered Public Accountant. Jim and Emily made their home in Fort Sumner in 1952 where they opened Walling Accounting. He served as a Registered Public Accountant and later as Certified Public Accountant until his retirement in 2005. Jim was active in the community he served as a volunteer with the Village of Fort Sumner Fire Department for over 35 years many of those years as fire chief. He was a mentor to many volunteer fire fighters all who knew Jim as “Mother”. Jim was a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of Scottish Rite in Santa Fe where he held several offices. Jim was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Mission in Fort Sumner. He enjoyed bowling, golf, boating, sailing, and flying. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Olen and Dessa Lee Walling. Survivors include his wife of 63 years Emily Walling of Fort Sumner; two daughters Cheryl Lawrence of Plano, Texas, Fran Price and husband Delton of Santa Fe, NM; five grandchildren Matthew Lawrence and wife Melissa of San Antonio, TX, Alicia Fabrisi and husband Tim of Brownsburg, Indiana, Cody Price of Denver, Colorado, Sterling Price of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Nicole Price of Fort Collins, Colorado; two great grandchildren Tyler Lawrence of San Antonio, TX and Jordan Fabrisi of Brownsburg, Indiana. Also surviving are other relatives and a host of friends. Visitation hours will be Thursday, Nov. 21st from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Friday, November 22, 2013 at Chavez Funeral Home Chapel with Mary McClain officiating. Burial with Masonic services will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his son-in-law Delton Price and his grandchildren Matthew Lawrence, Alicia Fabrisi, Cody Price, Sterling Price, and Nicole Price. Honorary bearers will be all his many friends, his fellow Masons, and members of the Fort Sumner Fire Department. The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Jim Walling to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119; or Pancreatic Research Fund, c/o American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com