John James Walker

John James Walker leaves behind precious memories and timeless wisdom to be sure, but it is his legacy of integrity, honesty, and hard work that will continue to inspire countless others through the lives of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he leaves behind. John was a devoted husband and loving father whose children describe him as stoic - the true patriarch of his family. He was never one to worry about building wealth according to the worlds measure, but focused the steps he took on making a positive impact in the community he called home throughout his entire life. John will be deeply missed while his memory is forever cherished. It was a great time to be an American during the 1920s as innovation was fueling ongoing advancements in both the business and industrial sectors. Prosperity was the dominant force while prohibition was the law of the land. We celebrated the peak of Broadway and motion pictures that became available in both color and sound while greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb turned baseball into Americas favorite past time. Nestled within this vibrant time was the year 1927 that brought great joy to Frank A. and Louise C. (Gallagher) Walker as they welcomed a baby boy into their hearts and home on March 29th. Born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, John James was the seventh of eight children in his family, raised in the family home alongside his older siblings, Thomas, Arthur, who died as an infant, Bernice, Eloise, Imogene, and Edward, and his younger sister, Julia. Johns father was a dairy and crop farmer while his mother, sometimes affectionately called Baby, was a homemaker who also helped her husband when needed. John experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. He loved playing baseball as a boy, often playing behind the old State Home. John also loved fishing, but much of his time was spent working on the farm alongside his siblings. He attended the College Elementary Lab School at Central Michigan University and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1945, despite playing hooky from school at times to work at Gase Bakery. Life was forever changed for John when he met the woman of his dreams. Her name was Gladys Winnie. They met at a dance at Coldwater Lake, however, John always claimed that he had her picked out from watching her walk to work each day! Soon after that fateful dance the couple began dating. Their relationship continued for more than a year before the couple made their love official in a ceremony at Sacred Heart Church on August 27, 1949. Together John and Gladys were blessed with nine children, Kathleen, Maureen, who died when she was just a few days old, Eileen, Daniel, Michele, Laurie, Bruce, Sharon, and Scott. He was an extraordinary father who was an active part of his childrens lives. John taught his children that both education and working hard were of the utmost importance. He also instilled in them, through his own example, that nothing in life is free. John and Gladyss children always appreciated the loving care their parents gave them when they were sick or in need in some way. As his friends and family can attest, Johns work ethic was exemplary. He worked as a pipe fitter for Dow Chemical for 32 years, retiring as a multi-tradesman in 1982. John was also a Union Steward. During his retirement years John worked part-time on the grounds crew at the Mt. Pleasant County Club. People were fascinated by the fact that he always had a clean work bench! There were many things that enriched Johns life through the years. He was a history buff who viewed our past as a story that enriches our present and our future. It was also vital to John that he remain abreast of current events, preferring to watch the live action unfold on C-Span to get the information without the added commentary. He loved working alongside his wife in their backyard, which they called The Park, and he loved traveling with her, too. Their travels often took them all over the world to visit their children including to Ireland while visiting their son, Dan, who lived in England. Together John and Gladys also traveled by Amtrak on the See America Tour, took several trips to Wisconsin, and wintered in Florida. It would be hard to find a fan who was more loyal to the Detroit Tigers than John was. In fact, his parting words were, Go Tigers! John liked semi-classical music, Celtic music, and the music of Danny ODonnell, however, no one beamed with pride more than John did when listening to his daughters and grandchildren sing. All who knew John would agree that he was extraordinarily wise. He thought that doing things just for the sake of doing things was foolish, make work as he called it. John also believed in the notion of doing something right the first time and also thought that not asking for help when you need help is just as bad as not doing things on your own when you were able. These were things that John not only believed, but principles that were evident in the way he lived his life. With a life that spanned times of great change around him, John Walker never wavered in the convictions that he held near to his heart. He was a man of faith and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, his life a living testament to what it means to be a man of God. John was blessed to spend more than 60 years with the love of his life by his side, fully savoring the beauty of the world while taking not even one breath for granted. Life will never be the same without John here, but the memories he leaves behind will remain lasting treasures for generations to come. John Walker of Mt. Pleasant died on Monday, October 29, 2012. Johns family includes his wife, Gladys Walker of Mt. Pleasant; eight children, Kathleen (Dan) Reeves of Dearborn; Eileen (Scott) Wagner of Stevensville; Daniel (Deborah) Walker of Dallas, TX; Michele (John) Kugler of Wisconsin; Laurie Dumdei of Grand Rapids; Bruce (Kathy) Walker of Midland; Sharon (Jim) Walker-Johnson of Wisconsin; and Scott (Anne) Walker of Chicago, IL; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and sister, Julia Konicki of Fremont and Naples, FL. John was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Maureen; grandson, Dylan Walker; son-in-law, Jeff Dumdei; two brothers, Thomas and Edward Walker; and three sisters, Bernice Hutchins, Eloise Untiedt and Imogene Foldesi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Friday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Please visit www.charlesrlux.com to leave a memory.