James Edward Walters M.D. (81), long time Madera Physician and Surgeon, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at Madera Community Hospital.

Dr. Walters was born in 1937 in New York City to James and Geraldine Walters. A strong value of education was instilled by his parents during his early years. He received his undergraduate degree at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York and graduated with honors from Howard University College of Medicine in 1964.Dr. Walters later completed his Residency in Cleveland, Ohio.

After his Residency, he moved to the Central Valley where he began his medical career at Valley Medical Center. A few years later, he began working at the former Madera County Hospital, which later merged with Dearborn Hospital to become Madera Community Hospital at the new facility on Almond Avenue.

Dr. Walters was an integral part of the medical community here in Madera with his General Surgery and Family Practice. He volunteered his time at the Madera High School Coyote football games and spent time facilitating sports physicals for Madera High School athletes. His medical career spanned nearly 50 years before his retirement.

He met and later married Maureen Urrutia in 1972 and they have made Madera their home where Doctor was a member of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church and a former member of the Knights of Columbus Council of the Parish, as well as a member of the Young Men’s Institute. In the winter seasons, he was an avid snow skier enjoying the thrill of the mountain slopes of the Sierras. His love of skiing was a dominating passion and a source of joy.

In addition to his parents, Doctor was preceded in death by a sister Barbara Regina Walters.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years Maureen Walters of Madera, his daughter Tiffany Walters of Palo Alto, CA, his brothers Clarence Jones of Delaware and Charles Jones and his wife Jean of Florida and by their children.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 3 PM to 6 PM at Jay Chapel in Madera. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2019, at 1 PM at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, interment will follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery.