"Skip"

Jimmie Lee "Skip" Walsh, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 29th, in the early morning hours with his loving wife, Gail, by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 85 years old.

Jimmie will be remembered for his kind heart, jovial spirit, quick wit, and infectious smile. He was known for his volunteer work and enjoyed helping others. Even in his final days, his laughter resonated with neighbors and caregivers at the Lakes of Monclova, where he spent his last months. The absence of his laugh will leave a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him.

For the past 30 years, Jimmie and Gail shared an inseparable bond, deeply committed to their Masonic communities and family. Jimmie, a fifty plus year member of the Northern Light Lodge, was an active mason who presided over his lodge and several other Masonic bodies, earning the distinction of Knight of the York Cross of Honor. Together, Jimmie and Gail presided over their Eastern Star chapter six times. Jimmie was a dedicated supporter of Gail's service as Worthy Grand Matron for Ohio Eastern Star. They often traveled hundreds of miles across the state, allowing Jimmie the opportunity to refer to himself as the Grand Chauffeur. They married in 1994, they lived in both Toledo and Indianapolis before settling in the Quarry community in Monclova Township in 2000.

Jimmie spent his working life at Champion Spark Plug, contributing to their shipping and logistics operations for many years. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he enjoyed softball, bowling, tennis, and golf, and volunteered his time at the Heatherdowns golf course.

He was born on Flag Day in Monaville, West Virginia, June 14, 1938, to Bessie (Robinson) and Lloyd "Dad Cooney" Walsh. Jimmie was the youngest of 12 children raised in a coal mining community. He enlisted in the Navy in 1961, serving first in Taiwan and then aboard the aircraft carrier Midway for 2 years during the Vietnam conflict. In 1965, he married Karen Jill Gibbs and moved to Toledo, where they raised three children: Robert, Sean, and Jeremy.

Jimmie was a devoted father, supporting his children's passions for sports, music, and martial arts. His military service inspired his son Jeremy to pursue a 20-year career in the Navy. Robert is a high school teacher raising two teenagers in Long Island, and Sean is a social worker in Seattle with two grown children. Their personal and professional accomplishments and happiness are a testament to the loving influence Jimmie had on those around him.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Opal, Jack, Ruby, Sidney (Ray), John, Franklin (Sam), Betty, Mary, and three siblings who each lived less than 1 year. He is survived by his wife, Gail; his sons Robert (wife Rory Shaffer-Walsh, children Parker and James); Sean (wife Alice Hauschka, children Peter and Patrick); Jeremy; and former wife Karen Jill Walsh. He is also survived by many members of his extended family.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 5th at the Walter Funeral Home at 4653 Glendale Avenue in Toledo from 2:00 - 8:00 pm. A Masonic service will be held at 7:00 pm. Jimmie will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery on Thursday, June 6th following a funeral service held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 1825 Glendale Avenue at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.