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Norman R. Walker Vinton, IA QCWA # 18368 Chapter 123 |
Norman Ray Walker, 93, of Vinton, died peacefully Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton following a lengthy illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton with Fr. Ardel Barta as Celebrant. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, August 1, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and for an hour before mass at church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, with military rites performed by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.
Norm was born August 1, 1922, in Vinton, the son of Bert C. and Goldie Blanche Anderson Walker. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1940. He attended Central Tech Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, and received his Class B Amateur Radio License. He also earned his commercial pilot license from Seabourn Flight Training in St. Louis, Missouri He served his country in the Merchant Marines as a radio operator from 1944 until 1945.
On May 31, 1945, Norm married the love of his life, Mary Margaret Merchant, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton.
He started working for TWA in 1942 as a radio operator in Kansas City, MO, and was promoted to flight radio instructor. When he returned from his military service, he transferred to St. Louis, MO, where he worked as a senior ground radio operator, a chief radio operator and then a maintenance foreman. He was promoted to general foreman in Ohio and Kentucky and retired from TWA in 1977 as foreman in charge in St. Louis, after 35 years.
Norm and Mary began farming in Missouri in 1960. When they returned to Iowa they bought a farm near La Porte City. Norm also drove a bus for the Iowa Braille School and delivered papers for the Cedar Valley Times.
Norm was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Vinton. He also belonged to the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 where he served as the Financial Officer and ran Bingo. He enjoyed playing cards, writing poetry and being a ham radio operator. His big laugh will be missed by many.
Norm is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary, of Vinton; one brother, Jim Walker; and one sister, Jodene Ludden; several nieces and nephews and godchildren.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Luetta Walker; one brother, Bob Walker and one sister, Doris Lange.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Norm and his family.