Aug. 28, 1922 - Jan. 27, 2013
Our precious Pop passed very peacefully at his home in Bend, OR, January 27, 2013, with his beloved Margie and children at his side.
Born to Elza Jesse Walker and Grace (Henson) Walker in Riddle, OR, and having lived most of his life in Coos County, OR, he served in the Air Transport command of the United States Army during WWII.
He married Marjory E. Haile of Denair, CA, in 1949.
He earned a bachelors degree in Education from Pasadena College in 1950, and subsequently earned a masters degree from the University of Oregon and a doctorate in education from Oregon State University. After 27 years of teaching and administrative positions including superintendent of schools for Coos and Curry Counties (Intermediate Education District), he retired from education in 1977, to pursue other economic endeavors.
His memberships included Oregon and National Associations of School Administrators, Lions Club, Church of the Nazarene and Assembly of God.
His contributions to multiple organizations and the lives of others are too numerous to mention, yet of particular significance is the 501(c)3 non-profit entity he created in 1989, the Quadriplegic Foundation.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, 'Margie'; son, Tom (Susan) of Bend; daughters, Linda (Kyle) of Portland and Diane of Bend; his nine grandchildren, Nathan, Sarah, Rachel, Darren, Gregory, Grant, Emily, Kori and Kyle Jr.; his four great-grandchildren, Calais, Beckett, Riley and Cormac; a daughter, Karen (age 3) passed away in 1956; and a son, Wayne (age 49) passed away in 2001.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bend Church of the Nazarene (Foyer), at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Toms memory to the Quadriplegic Foundation or the charity of ones choice.
