James E. Walker, philanthropist, dead at 73
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
James E. Walker, a former Exxon Chemical executive and member of many Hawai'i boards and organizations, died May 23 in Honolulu. He was 73.Walker, who left Exxon in 1985 and later retired as a consultant for Asian companies, moved to Hawai'i in 1987 and quickly became active in local organizations.
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He joined the Hawai'i Opera Theatre and served as its president and chairman of the board. Walker also was a trustee with Hawai'i Pacific University, where he chaired the Committee on Scholarly Endeavors Program and was the co-chairman of the school's long-range planning committee.
James E. Walker was a former president of the Hawai' Opera Theatre and trustee of Hawai'i Pacific University.
HPU President Chatt Wright said Walker dedicated his life to academics and his community.
"He was one of the best people that we've had in Hawai'i who made a lot of money, was successful, retired here and gave back, and he gave back in a very understated way," Wright said. "He really was a supporter of this community and he didn't want to be recognized for it, and in my mind he should be recognized more for that. He was just a fabulous human being."
Walker was a director and past president of the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, member of the Honolulu Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Complex Case Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association. He also served on the board of the Oceanic Institute and was a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu.
Walker was born Sept. 6, 1927, in Knoxville, Tenn. He earned an undergraduate degree and a doctorate degree in chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
From 1957 to 1967, Walker served as vice president of Esso Chemical Europe and held various positions with Exxon USA. In 1972, he became president and chief executive officer of Exxon Chemical Latin America. Five years later, he became president and CEO of Exxon Chemical Asia Pacific in Hong Kong.
In 1985, Walker became a consultant for multinational corporations in Indonesia, China, Thailand and Malaysia.
Walker is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, James Jr. and Stephen; daughter, Valierie Cureton; brother, Joseph; sister, Mary Hawkins; and four grandchildren.
Visitation is from 5 p.m. June 9 at Holy Nativity Church; service is at 6 p.m. Walker's ashes will be scattered at Maunalua Bay. Donations can be made to Hawai'i Pacific University or the Hawai'i Opera Theatre.
