Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc | Truth or Consequences, NM

Obituary For Jim C. Werker

Jim C. Werker always said he wanted to go caving with Jesus. On April 13, 2023, he did just that. Jim made his ascent after an intense year of in-patient treatment and out-patient rehab for a stroke, seizures, and then COVID.

With proven Jim Werker resilience, he tackled recovery with strength and determination. Jim succeeded in the rehab game many times throughout his 83 years. He blew off a couple of fingers with dynamite at age 7, got an eye shot out at 15, got stomped by a rodeo bull, got sober in 1981, fell off a 30-foot cliff in 1993, and lost his left arm in a roll-over accident in 2012. Jim was remarkable at balancing painful rehab work with rest and relaxation. In the end, a COVID lung infection turned on him. With grace and courage, Jim relaxed and peacefully welcomed the onset of his ultimate adventure in eternity.

James Craig Werker was born on August 10, 1939, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Gerardus Petrus Werker (1899-1983, a former Dutch military officer) and Ivy Evelyn Coffin (1907-1989, from the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England). Jim’s parents moved to the vicinity of Cedar Crest, where Jim grew up ranching in the Sandia Mountains of rural New Mexico. The family moved to the South Valley of Albuquerque, where Jim attended high school. Jim and his parents lived part-time on the west coast of central Mexico, where Jim enjoyed youthful beach days of sun, fun, and fishing. Jim had the privilege of living life in many different ways—as a cowboy, rodeo bronc rider, outfitter-guide, hound trainer, and caver, all while serving Sandia National Labs for 34 years as a mechanical engineer. Jim was most content outside of four walls—ranching, hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, kayaking, hiking, diving, caving, and finding caves.

Jim shared his love of the outdoors with his wife and cave conservation partner of 28 years, daughters, extended family, and many friends. Jim is survived by his wife Val Hildreth-Werker; daughters—Debbie Werker, Renee Pleasanton and husband Wade, Katwin Hinerman, Jessica Costanzo and husband Chris, and Kelly Maestas and husband Adam; brother—Gerard Peter “Jerry” Werker; sister—Margaret Werker White; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; the caving community and friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother—Robert “Bubbles” Metzinger; sisters—Barbara Jean Metzinger Morris and Johanna “Joey” Werker Schmidt.

Jim and Val literally met in a cave, which launched them into three decades of love and partnership in monitoring, conserving, restoring, repairing, and photographing cave systems (married September 24,1994 at First Baptist Church, Lubbock, Texas). Jim and Val were honored with awards for coordinating and editing the internationally recognized book titled Cave Conservation and Restoration (NSS 2006, https://learnmore.caves.org/index.php/educational-materials/), which raised the bar for current best practices in sustainable cave stewardship and minimum-impact caving standards. With Val, Jim served as Joint Chief of the Conservation Division of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and established a legacy of cave conservation, restoration, speleothem repair, photomonitoring, and scientific exploration by training and educating generations of cavers in the states and abroad. In 2022 the NSS honored Jim with Conservation Chief Emeritus designation.

A Memorial Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 in Hillsboro, New Mexico (a charming historic mining town of the old west where Jim and Val have resided since 2001). Memorial events include:

9:00-10:00 AM Travelers gather at Hillsboro Community Center

10:00 AM Memorial Celebration at Hillsboro Union Church

Procession to Hillsboro Cemetery (2/3 mile walk or drive, your choice)

Back to Hillsboro Community Center for New Mexico Chile Buffet, Slideshow, Jim-Memories, and Live Music

To View a detailed schedule of events, please download the funeral program below.

Guests are encouraged to be comfortable in denim, western wear, and hats for the hot sun!

Events will be recorded and the videos will be posted following.

Memorial donations can be dedicated to Jim Werker at Save-the-Caves Fund. Search “CPN Save the Caves.” Or go directly to https://secure.givelively.org/donate/national-speleological-society/save-the-caves.

Guest Book

It was an honor and my privilege to walk beside you and to be part of your amazing life. Truly some of my favorite memories. I don't have a lot of friends, but you were one of my best because you were honest and true. Someone who could always be trusted. Hard to find in this world. I will never forget you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship.

- na

What a man our dear Jim, he is a really young and fresh spirit that crosses our life on Sardinia Island where we start the steps of a cave conservation and restoration approach for cave protection in Italy. Jim and Val were dreaming to come and live in Italy, and now for sure Jim you will live in our hearts forever living in our lives forever. We wish the best for Val in her future adventure. Ferdinando Didonna wwww.tetide.org

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We have fond memories of Sunday morning coffee together across the continent via Skype. Jim was always up at 6:00am having his first cup. Lynn & Doug

- na

I was fortunate to have been acquainted with Jim before he retired from SNL. And it was an honor to be included among his friends. He has left behind an incredible presence, which I pray will sustain Val, his family and friends. Hózhóogo naasháa, Hózhó náhásdlíí'. -Yvonne Batchelor and family

- na

I am so sadden with the passing of Jimmy. I met him in 1961 when my husband returned to New Mexico when he got out of the Marine Corps. Jimmy and Tommy were friends in high school and share the same interest and became life long friends and Jimmy and I hit it off from the very start and over the years we became best friends as well. Jimmy was a true friend was truely a best friend he was a very caring person and would do anything to help us if were in need. We spent many hours together over the years and will have wonderful memories of those times. He will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in peace my friend ---Betty Kelley

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Jim was a special person in my life! Many years ago, I overheard him talking to someone about caves, while attending at a workshop at Sandia National Labs. I approached him and he gladly gave me some information. Many years later, I married Victor. As it turned out Val and Victor's friendship go way back. As we spent time with Val and Jim through the years, I laughed a lot. I so appreciated and enjoyed Jim's dry humor. I will really miss him!!!

- na

The moments we spent with Jim were unforgettable. In New Mexico or in several caves in Brazil and in the US. It has always been visible how much he loved being in the caves, in nature and traveling with Val and his friends! He will always be an inspiration for us, in his love for the caves and in his works, with Val, for cave conservation, restoration and protection. We will always remember those bright blue eyes, full of life and curiosity, wanting to know new caves and landscapes! We will miss Jim! Luciana Alt & Vitor Moura

- na

We would like to say a few words about Jim for this occasion. We could write a book, knowing him for, literally, a lifetime. Jim has been a best friend for sixty-plus years, I think.. The first years–meeting at SNL, sharing and solving the challenges of the tech work we did, sharing the boom and bust times, sharing a lifetime of buying, selling, trading, fishing, hunting; tools, books, horses, deserts and mountains– passed quickly. The last years {a new era) began when we (due to health reasons} had moved from Albq be near our family in Mo. and Jim came to visit, He brought his wife Val who immediately became our dear friend. The years passed and their visits became prized to these two shut ins. We lived vicariously through their vacations and caving trips and projects. We miss him and will always remember him. He and I will sit on the deck and enjoy the sunshine. You can ask Val about that. Our Navajo friends have a saying we will use here.. Goodbye Jim ..."May you walk in beauty" ~ Jim and Donna Volkman

- na

I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Jim

- na

Sorry to hear about Jim's passing. I didn't know him well but did one longish trip with him and Val down to Mexico that was enjoyable and loved all this stories, what a life he led! I wish the best for Val in her future endeavors. -Dave Bunnell

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We are saddened to learn that Jim is no longer with us. We have really enjoyed him and Val as a warm and wonderful couple, who contributed to cave conservation, which connects with saving our planet. We are disappointed we can't be at the memorial, but our loving thoughts will be with both Jim and Val. In Friendship, Bob and Deh Stucklen Speleologica

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Kirikos Family Funeral Home, Inc | Truth or Consequences, NM