Douglas Lorn Walker, the son of Roy and Phyllis (Clements) Walker, was born January 31, 1947 at Jefferson, Iowa and left this life November 4, 2018 at the Iowa University Hospital in Iowa City. He lived his life to the age of 71 years, 9 months and 3 days.
Doug grew up in the Jefferson area and attended and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1965. He helped his father with the family farm during his youth. He later attended Iowa State University in Ames. On September 14, 1968, Doug Walker was united in marriage to Kathy Grow at the Lutheran Church in Hudson. Two sons were born to this union.
In November of 1969, Doug was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a Staff Sergeant in combat during the Vietnam War. After his time in Vietnam, he returned to the States and received an early discharge for time served in Vietnam. After Doug returned from the service, he went to work for Morton Buildings in Jefferson as a salesman and later as manager. When he retired from Morton Building, he returned to farming.
As with most farmers, he never really retired from farming. Farming was Doug’s occupation, passion and his way of life. In recent years he traveled to Maui to break up the cold Iowa winters with his dear friends. Doug relished in taking Kathy for rides in his Corvette to enjoy the countryside and check crops. Doug often stepped up to the plate to help others and he was generous with his time and talents.
Doug was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, a recently retired member of the Greene County Fair Board and a former member of the Jefferson Elks Lodge.
He cherished his grandchildren, was extremely proud of his sons and had a deep-rooted love for Kathy, his partner for 50 years. This past year allowed Doug to experience, express and know life in new light, not only for him, but also for those close to him.
Those who will dearly remember him are his wife Kathy; his sons and their wives, Scott and Angela of rural Paton and Tod and Allison of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Kate, Jacey and Blake; and his sister Janice Walker and her husband John Ryan of Boulder, CO. Those who preceded him in death were his parents, a brother Kenneth in infancy, and a grandson Lane Scott Walker in 2005.
A Celebration of Doug’s life was held Nov. 8 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson with Pastor Julie Poulsen officiating. Burial was made in the Dawson Township Cemetery west of Paton. A special musical selection of “The Lord’s Prayer” was sung by soloist Gary Haupert and accompanied by pianist Danelle Curtis. Full military honors were conducted by the Jefferson V.F.W. and American Legion with the Honor Guard of members of Camp Dodge.
Serving as casket bearers were Dan Benitz, Gary Betts, Rod Wolf, Dick Walker, Denny Walker and Keith Walker.
The family was assisted by Brown Funeral Home of Jefferson.
