David Augustus Walker, of South Haven, passed away June 16, 2022, in Centerville, TX, after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident and succumbed to injuries received from it. He was 84 years young. David was born May 12, 1938, in Kalamazoo, the son of Fred Elias Walker and Charlotte Frances Walker (Miller). It was an extra special day because it was also Fred’s birthday.
David attended Paw Paw High School and received a scholarship to continue his education at Kalamazoo College. He joined the Michigan Air National Guard in February, while still in high school and was later called to active duty in the Air Force. He was accepted to Officer Candidate School at Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, TX. He then transitioned into Fighter Jet School and attained the rank of second lieutenant. He served his country for three years before moving back to Michigan and joining the Kalamazoo Police Department, where he served in many different capacities. He owned several different aircraft during that time and continued to have a passion for flying and being in the air.
David moved to Texas in 1981, and worked in the corporate security field, and then acquired a Class A mechanical license for the State of Texas. He transitioned to facilities maintenance and had another successful career working for several different national drug and food chains.
He married Linda Faye in 1987, and they lived outside of Houston, before packing up and moving in 2010 to the great outdoors of Trinidad, Colorado, where David built a home on top of the foothills on the Santa Fe Trail Ranch. It was a sight to behold, looking over the “Twin Peaks”. He wasn’t satisfied in retirement, so he took a job at Trinidad State Junior College as manager of the “Tool Crib” in the gunsmithing department. He truly had a passion for this work and became a student of the trade, starting his own business rebuilding and refurbishing all types of firearms. He had many other passions as well including being outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever the opportunity arose. He was very active in supporting veterans. He was instrumental in getting Fort Wootton returned to the veteran groups, mainly the American Legion Post 11, where David was post commander for several years.
David’s wife, Linda, of 32 years, passed away in 2019, after a long battle with cancer. He then decided to move back to South Haven in 2021, to be with his seven children.
He is survived by his fiancé, Sandra Kroll; his seven children, April (Mike) Sheeran, Scott (Linda) Walker, Jeff Walker (Susan), Todd (Yolanda) Walker, Tim Walker (Enedina), Greg Walker, and Debbie O’Leary; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
David was preceded in death by his sister, June; and his brother, Geary.
Family and friends are invited to gather at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, Saturday, Sept. 10, for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Following services, there will be a gathering of family and friends for a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion, McGowan-Johnson Post 68, 115 N. Niles St., Paw Paw.
Share a memory or sign the online tributewall at: www.adamspawpaw.com