65176_Gary_Walker
Gary Walker 69, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at the Unity Point Health Care, Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services for Gary Walker will be 10:30 am Saturday, October 12, 2013, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 122 Georgetown Road, Iowa Falls, Iowa. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Linn’s Funeral Home, 1521 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery in Iowa Falls. The Linn’s Funeral Home, Iowa Falls Chapel, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Gary Phillip Walker was born December 3, 1943, in Des Moines, Iowa to Howard Floyd and Harriet [Mintel] Walker, the youngest of ten children. He attended school until the eighth grade at Des Moines East High. Following a year in the military at age 17, Gary returned home to Iowa.
On May 29, 1963, he was united in marriage to Karen Fogle in What Cheer, Iowa. To this union eight children were born: Phillip, Howard, Becky, Nancy, Cathy, Sandy, Corey and Christie. In 1973, he dedicated himself and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He imparted his strong faith to his children. He lived by the scripture found in Acts 20:35: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” Gary was known to all as a generous person. He would go out of his way to show hospitality to everyone. No one was a stranger to him. He also looked forward to the promise found in Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” This promise was very real to him.
Gary’s hobbies included fishing, reading Louis L’Amour and Erie Stanley Gardner novels and watching sports of all kinds [especially the Hawkeyes]. But his greatest joy in life was his family, especially his grandkids. Gary was known as ‘Grandpa’ to all the children he met. He loved spoiling them and sneaking them treats. [which usually ended up all over their clothes].
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Karen; his children, Phillip [Kim] Walker, Howard [Trudie] Walker, Becky [Rodney] Kent, Nancy Walker, Cathy Walker, Sandy Walker, Corey [Yida] Walker, and Christie Walker; his grandchildren, Jessica [Michael] Johnson, Jeremy Walker, LaKisha and LaKayla Walker, Caitlyn and Calista Walker, Zachary Kent and Abraham, Breyonna, Benjamin and Julian Moreno; and one great-grandchild, Cora Johnson. He is also survived by his honorary granddaughter, Sheena [Josh] Seu, honorary great-grandchildren, Jacob, Isaac, Haley and Layla Seu; his best friend, Eric Kramer; four sisters; one brother; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Calvin and Arlyn Walker; and his sisters, Bobbie Hartwig and Jeanie Hartwig.