North Versailles - Age 72, passed away of natural causes, on April 16, 2025, at his home in North Versailles. Jim was born on February 8, 1953 in Daisytown, PA, the fifth of nine children of Harris and Betty (Hulings) Booker.

Jim grew up on Polish Hill in West Mifflin, learning teamwork, confidence, resilience and sturdy friendship, at home and through sports. For years, he enjoyed the camaraderie of the Christ Lutheran Church softball team. In high school, he played football, tennis and hockey, continuing with football and baseball at Allegheny College (1971-1975), where he also formed life-long friendships at the FIJI fraternity and enlisted in ROTC, the beginning of a long commitment to the Air Force and Air Force Reserves.

"Baby Jim's" job in Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) in the Reserves was to feed airmen and soldiers. His larger-than-life personality was tailor-made for throwing parties and hosting events. He ventured many times out of Eglin AFB in Florida, enroute to troops on the ground and responsible for an air-drop kitchen, a kitchen crew and supplies. At Pittsburgh Airport, he managed the Air Force Consolidated Open Mess for 25 years.

Jim met his wife, Vicki (Fox), while stationed in Rome, NY and together they raised two children, while owning and operating restaurants over the course of three decades, in West Homestead, Meadville and White Oak. He hosted many family celebrations, large and small, where a good belly-laugh was as important as the main course. And he would be sure to sing "Mack the Knife" better than Bobby Darin ever could! After leaving the restaurant business he held various jobs at the Duquesne Beneficial Union and conducted culinary training for the Catholic non-profit agency Auberle of McKeesport.

Jim was the loving father of Marcus Booker (Skye) of Bethesda, MD and Rachael Isett (John) of West Mifflin, PA, both of whom followed in his Air Force footsteps. He had many grandchildren: Sam, Jaiden, Chris, James and Quinn Booker (Amy) and Aidan, Devin, Riley and Camryn Burow (Kelly). He was especially close to Riley and Camryn or "Keekee," sharing with his daughter their early care and upbringing.

Jim always looked eagerly forward to each new day. He often said he couldn't wait for tomorrow, because, as he insisted, he gets "better looking every day!" Jim's brothers and sisters cherish the memory of his jokes, his impersonations of Ralph Kramden and his good cooking: Dan Booker (Deborah) of Pittsburgh, Harris Booker (Emily) of Philadelphia, Susan Welsh (Andrew) of Indiana, PA, William Booker (Candice) Sea Girt of New Jersey, Margaret Rayher (Erich) Coopersburg; sister-in-law, Karen Booker, Dale Booker (Leigh) Bradfordwoods and Thomas Booker (Melanie) Birmingham, Alabama.

Jim's many nieces and nephews remember his sunny character and, just as crucial, his ability to dissipate a fight and restore good feeling and fair play. Jim valued and tended a legion of friendships going back to the neighborhoods and the pick-up games of his youth and extending to his college, military, restaurant and non-profit experiences. We will all remember his smile.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ralph; and his sister-in-law, Deborah Booker.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at MALOY-SCHLEIFER FUNERAL HOME, 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, PA. www.maloy-schleiferfuneralhome.com, 412-466-3300. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph's Church, 817 West Grant Ave., Duquesne, PA. Burial, with full honor guard, will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, in Bridgeville, PA, at 1:30 p.m.