Jamie Walton, one of the longest-tenured employees at Safeway on Fourth Street, has retired. 

Jamie was hired in 1992, celebrated his 65th birthday Jan. 19 and never imagined he’d work there for half his lifetime. 

“I wasn’t sure how long I’d be there, but I thought if I stuck to it, everything would work out, and it has,” Jamie said. 

Store manager Debbie Campbell described Jamie as the community goodwill ambassador. 

“Everyone in the neighborhood knows and loves Jamie,” she said. “He bagged groceries and loved talking to people. He was a special person — everyone is going to miss him.” 

Jamie indeed is special. All who know him know he is also a person with special needs who suffers from short-term memory loss.  

“Jamie was born two months early and had a blood clot next to his brain,” said Jamie’s mother, Alohae Walton. “He had two major craniotomies, which is why he has a memory disability. But everything else is fine. He can do math problems in his head, but can’t always remember current things, so people might think he’s not that smart. But his long‑term memory is incredible.” 

Marcee Hartzel, CEO of Tesh, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with developmental disabilities to live more independently, classifies Jamie's condition as an Intellectual and Developmental Disability.     

“IDD affects a person’s thinking, learning and everyday functioning, but it does not define a person’s worth or potential,” Hartzel said. "Jamie was a participant in our program for eight years. Staff worked with him, teaching him how to get through his daily task list in a timely manner.” 

Interaction with people is what Jamie liked best about his job. 

“I loved pleasing customers,” he said. 

Jamie is also a longtime member of the Coeur d’Alene Church of Christ. 

“It’s right next to Safeway,” Jamie said. “I started going there in ’93.” 

Larry Sande is an elder of the church. He said Jamie regularly attends Sunday morning class, the evening worship service and the Wednesday evening Bible class. 

“He’s such a blessing and an inspiration to the congregation,” Sande said. “He’s been assigned to do scripture reading, has led opening and closing prayer, occasionally leads a song service and has helped serve the Lord’s Supper.”  

Jamie said he enjoys attending church and learns something each time he goes. 

“There’s always a lesson in the scriptures that can apply to your life,” Jamie said.  

His mom said he also enjoys the camaraderie of his friends. 

“He's just so happy to go to church and see them,” Alohae said. 

Jamie celebrated his 65th birthday Jan.19. 

“We held a surprise party for him at the Pizza Shop,” Sande said. “Everyone had a great time.” 

Jamie has been a member of the Eagles for the past 36 years. 

“I've been at Safeway since ’93, and I've been a member of the Eagles since ’89. I’m an inside guard,” Jamie said. “I stand at the entrance door at every meeting. When the meeting starts, I ask all members to come into the room.” 

In his spare time, Jamie enjoys bowling and strumming strings on his guitar. 

“I like to play Johnny Cash songs,” Jaime said. “One of my favorites is 'I walk the Line.'” 

Jamie lives in a house eight blocks from his mother's home on North Margaux Road. He drove back and forth to Safeway for most of his time there. 

“We used to live on the corner of Second and Garden,” Alohae said. “When Jamie first started there, it was really close — he could walk to work every day.” 

Jamie’s younger brother, Phillip, and father passed away a few years ago. 

“Phillip was a couple of years younger than Jamie. He had a major heart attack two years ago," Alohae said. "His dad died three years ago — now it’s just Jamie, me and my dog, Buddy.” 

Alohae said she couldn’t be prouder of Jamie and the things he has accomplished. 

“I am so proud of Jamie — he helps me so much,” Alohae said. “I’ve never had a problem with him — I couldn’t have asked for a better boy.” 

As to what he’ll miss most no longer working at Safeway, Jamie replied, “The customers. They always wanted me to help them. It’s cheerful knowing you’re needed.” 

Jamie’s last day of work was Dec. 31. On Tuesday, Safeway management held a retirement celebration for him at the store. Many longtime patrons were there to wish him well. 

“I’ve been shopping here for 43 years,” Kermit Jacobson said. “Every time I came in, Jamie had a joke about a frog. He was always friendly and always working.” 

Jamie was glad to see many of his friends at the celebration. 

“It's super nice to see people go out of their way to be here," Jamie said. “It’s like we're all still family.” 

Patrick Marshall, director of employment and business operations, presented Jaime with a Completion of Employment plaque. 

Now that he’s retired, Jamie said it would be “neat” to travel. 

“I want to see all the states. I’ve been to Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Indiana, Hawaii and Canada, but that’s not a state,” Jamie said. “I really want to go to Tennessee to see the Grand Ole Opry — they have a lot of singers there.” 

    Patrick Marshall, with Tesh, presents Jamie with a Completion of Employment Supports plaque at his retirement celebration Tuesday at the Fourth Street Safeway.
  

Jamie reminisces with former Safeway checker Jon Fencel at his retirement celebration Tuesday at the Fourth Street store.