James Leroy Walls Jr. passed away on January 24th, 2026 peacefully in his sleep with his dog Missy cuddled up in his lap. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 28th at the Heartland Church located at 400 S.W Lake Village, Blue Springs, Missouri. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:30am with services beginning at 11:30am. The family invites those to stay for a luncheon to follow.
He was born to James and Alma Walls on August 21, 1969 in Kansas City Missouri. He was the only child from this union but was one of five children. He attended Truman High School and lived in the surrounding area for most of his life.
Jim was an avid transportation engineer and wore many hats at various trucking companies. Some of those hats were not limited to management, sales, and experienced truck driver. In fact, he’s driven more miles backwards than most people have driven forward—at one time he estimated at least 4 million miles. Despite him knowing how to drive backwards, his loving wife, Gwen is the one in the relationship that knew how to drive straight. Together, they navigated many adventures.
Jim and Gwen were united in marriage on April 4th, 2021. They had a true love story that brought them back together in later years. Their families were united and between them they had eight children.
Jim enjoyed hunting, spending time outdoors, camo, cowboy boots, and strumming on the guitar. He was a master griller, it might not always be the best; but he was an experimenter in the kitchen especially when cooking alongside the ones he loved most. He also enjoyed serving others and served as a Scout Master for twelve years. He described him self as a simple man, or others might say—a simple red neck that loved life and loved others selflessly.
He is preceded in death by his father James “Jim” Walls Sr; sister Beverly Walls Gaulden; maternal grandparents Ed and Ruth Hargrave; and paternal grandparents Tom and Lois Walls.
He is survived by his wife Gwen Walls of the home; mother Alma Hargrave- Walls; Sons Dallas James Walls (Brooke); Shawn Engel (Angela); Jesse Engel (Mattie); Richard Tallen; Ronnie Tallen; Randy Tallen; Roger Tallen (Autumn); daughter Regina Tallen; sisters Patty Hoaglin (Denny); Kim Hunter (Jerry); and brother Timothy Grother; Step-mother Jo Ann Walls; grandchildren and several extended family members and a long list friends he consider family—not to leave out his fur baby “babygirl” Missy.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions to be made to his wife Gwen to assist in covering expenses.
Arrangements made by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO.