A Life of Service, Teaching & Compassion through Christ.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Walters on Thursday, January 22, 2026
at 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Divine in Houston, Texas.
All who knew and loved Dr. Walters are welcome.
"Dr. Walters was one of the longest-serving clinical faculty members in the history of the University of Houston College of Optometry. Over a career spanning 50 years, he taught generations of students and cared for countless patients in the area of ocular disease. His clinical expertise focused on retinal disease and clinical retinal electrophysiology. Through his deep knowledge and exceptional clinical skill, Dr. Walters helped prevent vision loss for many patients while also advancing the practice of optometry.
As an educator, Dr. Walters gave generously of his time and energy to thousands of students. He took his role as a teacher and mentor seriously and consistently set high standards. Whether lecturing to clinicians around the world or working one-on-one with students in his office as they prepared case presentations for Grand Rounds, he was at his best when sharing knowledge and investing in others.
After retiring, Jim continued to pursue his passions for photography, art, and service. For many years, he photographed nature, cityscapes, and a wide range of subjects. One of his photographs, Antelope Canyon (2009), hangs in the University of Houston College of Optometry Clinic and is a personal favorite of mine. The ray of light captured in that image symbolizes much of what Jim sought in his professional life—light, knowledge, direction, hope, and understanding. For many, Jim himself was a source of that light and hope. Communication was top-notch, and the final outcome was even better than we imagined. A great experience all around."
—Michael Twa
Dean and Professor
University of Houston College of Optometry
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