A memorial service has been scheduled for influential farrier, blacksmith and equipment innovator Jim Halverson.

The service celebrating Halverson's life will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2015, at the North Campus of Rolling Hills Covenant Church, 2221 Palos Verdes Dr. North, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274. A reception will follow at the church.

Halverson, 68, passed away Feb. 27, 2015, from a failing heart.

During his career, Halverson became one of the top corrective farriers in the South Bay and was responsible for care of any type of horse, from swayback old nags to valuable race horses. Halverson was respected by his peers as "one of the best!" He also was active in the American Farrier's Association.

Halverson was an innovator, developing better equipment and procedures for his trade. He founded Halverson Horseshoeing, which in the 1980s produced the first ready-made bar shoes, as well as the Halverson hoof knife and many other supplies to make horseshoeing easier, according to his obituary.

Halverson laughingly said, "I'll die under a horse," which was almost the case as he finished his last shoeing and passed away that evening.

"My brother was in the industry for over 40-plus years and had a dedicated passion for his work, as well as to teach and share with others," says his brother Dan Halverson. "In my earlier years as a side-kick, I spent many an hour moving the anvil from truck to stand, learned how to trim and shape. Watching him over the years, he truly was a master at the trade. I will miss him deeply."

Upon graduating from high school in 1966, Halverson joined the United States Marine Corps.

As a "Sea Going Marine," he guarded nuclear weapons and served as an admiral's aid. Halverson was assigned to the helicopter carrier USS Bennington, and immediately was deployed to the waters off the coast of Vietnam, where he volunteered for a number of helicopter rescue missions.

Halverson was honorably discharged in 1970 and immediately started his civilian career as apprentice in the farrier/blacksmithing trade.

Halverson is survived by his wife of 41 years, Darlene; his sons, Patrick and Jesse; his brother, Daniel; and his sisters, Nona and Lana.