SCALY MOUNTAIN - On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, James “Jim” Walsh, 63, passed away in his home. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 28 years, Laure Swanner Walsh, and their children, Ali Mae Walsh and James Walsh Jr.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late John and Joan Clouse Walsh. Jim had five siblings, Johnny Walsh Jr. (Debbie), Joe Walsh (Patti), Judy Almeida (Brian), Jackie Johnson (Troy) and his late sister Joanne Snyder (Stephen), all whom he made great memories with spending summers of their early years together in Onset, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Jim graduated Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1980 and became a ship captain in the oilfield industry, navigating offshore supply vessels around the world.
Jim and Laure met in Mississippi where they would later build and enjoy “The Barn” on weekends with their children. His close friend Darrell provided him an infinite amount of friendship and support in caring for the property.
He became the golf course superintendent of Chateau Country Club in Kenner, Louisiana, in the 1990s taking on a multi-year renovation of the golf course.
When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, Jim helped restore the country club and his family’s homes all while commuting on the weekends to visit his wife and children in their new home in Highlands.
Shortly after, Jim and Laure built a beautiful home together in Scaly Mountain where he had room to continue his love of working outdoors with his tractor, bobcat, excavator, and his righthand man José.
Jim avidly supported the Scaly Mountain Women’s Club and their mission to further education of local children. He developed dear and everlasting friendships with the husbands of the club members through the start of annual parties at his home. As an active member of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, he continued a legacy serving on the altar with his children for nine years.
He loved boating, fishing, crabbing, building fires, and spending time with family. He was an incredible father, wonderful uncle and a beloved addition to Laure’s family. Jim and Laure’s best memories were made together over charbroiled oyster feasts and his most fantastic crawfish boils.
A memorial mass will be held 10 a.m. Aug. 3 at Our Lady of the Mountains in Highlands officiated by Father Jason Barone. Jim will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scaly Mountain Women’s Club Scholarship Fund: P.O Box 64, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775.