Jack Walker
October 12th, 2018
With immense sadness, the family of Jack Walker announce his passing on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the age of 95 years.
Jack was born in Sibbald, Alberta on July 8, 1923 to Horace and Ethel Walker. Jack had an older brother Fred, older sister Dora and younger sister Iris. In 1936 the family moved to the Markerville area. Jack joined the RCAF in 1942 and served overseas in WW2. While in England he met and married his first wife, Connie, in 1945. Upon returning to Canada, he started work for the Alberta Forestry. He worked as a forest ranger at Clearwater and Red Deer Ranger Stations from 1946 to 1952. For him it was much more than a job, but a lifestyle he grew to love. It was during these years that Jack started his work with horses and it would remain a lifelong hobby. His love of the West Country stayed with him and he would return whenever the opportunity came along. Jack and Connie had a son, Wayne, and a daughter, Shirley. The family moved several times over the years, but settled in Red Deer. Jack worked for Canada Post, but also managed a riding stable and trained horses. Jack remarried in 1970 to Kristine and adopted her children, Lance and Karen.
Jack stayed connected to the community by volunteering over the years. He served with his church, boy scouts and coached baseball. Later on, he volunteered with The Westerner and delivered meals on wheels. Jack always enjoyed playing cards (cribbage) with his friends and was a regular at the senior centres.
Over the years, Jack and Kristine enjoyed many travels. Upon retiring, they enjoyed traveling with their truck and camper across Canada and the U.S. They also took bus tours and several cruises. Jack's most memorable trip was to Singapore and Malaysia.
Jack's greatest enjoyment was bragging about his great-grandchildren. He considered himself to be so fortunate to have them in his life . He will be dearly missed by them but they will have wonderful memories knowing he loved them all.
Jack was predeceased by his son Wayne, brother Fred, and sister Dora. Jack leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Kristine; daughters Shirley Brandt, Karen (Rick) Linton, son Lance Walker, 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and his sister Iris.
A GOOD MAN is one who is loved for the warmth and caring in his heart.
A WISE MAN is one who teaches by the fine example of his life.
A STRONG MAN is one who has worked hard and always done his best for the family.
A SUCCESSFUL MAN is one who has earned the respect and admiration of all.
Jack was all of these. We will all miss him very much
A Celebration of Life will be held at Bower-Kin Community Centre, 85 Boyce Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.Messages:
We appreciated Jack giving our daughter Sherry riding lesson back in the 70's until the stable burnt down. Some fond memories and laughs from that time. He will always be remembered. Barb Kelloway
Reading of the passing of Jack Walker did not go unnoticed by me, I grew up in the Markerville district, and his brother Fred was well known in the area at the time. In June of 2011, I attended a memorial service in Calgary for a longtime friend of mine by the name of R.J. ( Ronnie ) Lyle. Ronnie Lyle had served in Italy with the Canadian Army in the Second World War, and like Jack, had found employment with Alberta Forestry on his return. I met Ronnie in early June, 1965 when I was posted to Baseline Lookout which was in the Prairie Creek ranger district and he was the district ranger. From that date forward, we remained close friends, thus attended his memorial. That day, I met, and had a memorialable visit with one Jack Walker. I told him, I recognized his name, as Ron had told me many of his adventures over the years as a ranger, and Jack was one of his co- workers in the early years. I believe they worked together at both the Red Deer and the Clearwater Ranger districts. Jack, like Ronnie, was a entertaining and interesting person to visit with, and it was very easy to talk about Ranger duties and service work. ( like Jack, I had also served on a ranger district for a stint in the time ( 4 ) years I was involved ( Fort Vermilion ) Many of the old time rangers had a military background, and on days they were in dress uniform and attended formal meetings, they carried them selves with that aura of past training. Although my time knowing Jack was brief, I totally understood the reason why he was at Ron’s service. They really were cut from the same cloth! My condolences to all Jacks family.
I worked with Jack at Canada Post Red Deer. Jack was well liked by his fellow employees, and I am sure he will be missed by his family. Jack may you rest in peace!
I am so sorry for the loss of a great man. Jack was the most inspirational person that I have ever met......He will be truly missed,
Ride on cowboy, There is a better campsite just around the next bend.
So sorry for your loss. Jack had a long full life full surrounded by people who loved him. We loved the stories of his riding adventures. The last of the cowboys. RIP Jack.
Our condolences to uncle Jack’s family, we will miss our visits with him during our summers in Canada. He lived a full life and was an inspiration to his family.
Hi, Shirley: Wanted to let you know I am thinking of you after the recent loss of your dad. Take care, Sylvia Bolkowy