John Samuel Walker's Obituary
John S. Walker, CDR USN (Ret.), 83, proud World War II veteran, died Tuesday, November 21, 2006.
He was born February 20, 1923 in Lansing, Michigan, to the late Harold Chambers and Mabel Isabel Walker. He grew up in Detroit, and spent many summers in Toronto with beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He joined the US Navy in 1941, and earned his gold wings as a naval aviator in 1943. He flew 39 combat missions in PB4Y-1s (B-24 Liberators) from England during World War II. He served world wide, spending more than 11 years overseas throughout his career. He served aboard the USS Randolph and assisted in the Grissom and Glenn Mercury space capsule recoveries. He was an active naval aviator throughout his 29 year career while holding many executive positions. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for the National Civil Service League and for a Navy consulting firm.
After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren and with his many, many friends and fellow veterans. He served in civic and veteran associations, such as the Culpeper Midday Lions Club and The Retired Officers Associations and was an active member of the Little Fork Episcopal Church in Culpeper. He was a true hero and part of “the greatest generation.”
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Tudor Walker, and her children, Bill Tudor, Pat Tudor Sullins, and Kathy Tudor Wilkes, and predeceased by his first wife, Joan Atyeo Walker. He is survived by his children, Andrew Walker, Timothy Walker, and Jenifer Walker; daughters-in-law, Mindi Craft Walker and Ann Hanks Walker, and grandchildren, Matt, Drew, Mike, Chris, Katherine, Stuart, and Ben Walker. He is also survived by his brother, Harold Walker, sister, Barbara Walker Stevenson, and many beloved relatives in Michigan, Canada, and England.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 24, 2006 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA 22701.
A memorial service will be held at Little Fork Episcopal Church in Culpeper on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Tom Hayes officiating.
Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Flowers may be sent to Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper or contributions may be made to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 33104, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508, Attn: Melissa Moore; please note John S. Walker memorial on donations.
An online guestbook is available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.
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