James "Jim" E. Booker, age 95, passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021, peacefully in his home. Jim was born to James Madison and Isabella (nee Black) Booker on November 4, 1926 in Cleveland, OH.  From his earliest years, Jim learned to train and care for horses and traveled with his family from race track to race track.  Jim's family included some of the best horsemen of their time, including a jockey who won the Kentucky Derby.  But Jim decided to go another direction from a young age.

Jim joined the Navy in 1943 and served honorably until 1967.  He rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, primarily in the Submarine Service.  His last boat was the Ethan Allen, SSBN 608.  Those of us who were around him for any time at all were regaled by stories of the Gudgeon, the Tilefish and others, the work he did on nuclear submarines, and stories of where he had traveled.

One of the reasons his children and grandchildren have trouble telling truth from fiction is growing up hearing about his one time pet leopard named Casper (truth), the antics of Uncle Wilber (99% false), and amazing tales from his fascinating life (we could never tell). It was hard to escape childhood without knowing how to tie knots no one else had heard of, knowing arcane historical facts, and spending hours with him in his garage as he carved, built or finished wood projects and telling jokes.  Usually very bad jokes.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jean V. Booker, nee Garrity.  He is survived by his son, James Booker (wife Carla), daughters Jeanne Flynn (husband Paul), and Linda Esterline (husband Curt; granddaughters Selena Willis, Stephanie Booker, Sarah Booker and Sandra Garza of Texas; Jessica Solano of Denver, CO; Monica Beckstedt and Madison Beckstedt of Indiana; grandsons Jonathan Flynn of Virginia; Matthew Becksted and Thomas Beckstedt of Indiana.  He also leaves 5 great grandchildren – Lehna, Collyn, Ryann, Austin, Elijah and Conner – whose parents are now retelling the tall tales of their youths.

A memorial gathering for Jim will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Covington Memorial Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, IN.