John William Walker
March 10, 1961 - March 9, 2009

John Walker was a man with a strong sense of duty. He found his place in the Navy and held a very close relationship with his father. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved his family, especially his father and his children.

Born on March 10, 1961 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to Charles and Louise (Andrews), John was the middle son of three boys. Charles and Louise worked hard to raise John and his brothers, Robert and Charles. Charles supported the family by working as a machinist at Kaydon Corporation while Louise stayed home to care for the boys and run the household. The 1960s were a tumultuous time in American history, with old ways and traditions giving way to radical changes and new ways of doing things. The Walker family lived on Carlton Street on the east side of Muskegon. John showed an aptitude for the outdoors at an early age. His dad taught him to hunt and fish and it became a life-long passion, as well a fostering a solid bond between father and son. John enjoyed playing baseball and football with his brothers and the kids in the neighborhood. John made friends that remained his friends throughout his lifetime. When John wasnt with his dad or playing with his friends, he attended school with his classmates in the Orchard View Public Schools.

Sadly, Johns parents divorced when he was a teenager and he chose to live with his dad. After graduating from high school, John decided school was not for him. Instead of going on to college, John, along with a buddy, joined the Army. After basic training, John decided the Army was not for him either, so he decided to join the Navy (like his father). He became a Hull Technician, or welder, and proudly served in active duty for a few years. He returned home and lived with his dad while he stayed in the Naval Reserves for twenty years. In addition to his naval reserve obligations, John also worked as a welder at different factories throughout the area, putting his talent to good use.

One fateful day, John bumped into a pretty young lady named Susan St. Amour. Susan worked at the credit union that John belonged to. John felt an attraction to Susan and she in turn felt an attraction to John. The two young people started dating, fell in love and exchanged their wedding vows on April 9, 1988.

The young couple started their married life in a house off of Laketon Avenue. John and Susan brought two beautiful children into the world: Algeny in June of 1989 and John Wyatt in 1995. John found employment at Herman Miller, working at several positions there to support the family while Susan stayed home to care for the children. The family went through a rough time for a while. Johns father, whom he had been so close to, started to develop health problems, and it was discovered that young John Wyatt had autism, requiring special care. John was devastated by the death of his father. It was a blow that was very hard to overcome. John, Susan, Algeny and John Wyatt moved into Johns fathers house. John began to develop a close relationship with his son, just as he had with his own father.

When they could, John and Susan packed up the kids and drove to Drummond Island where they could relax, soak up the sun and watch the sunset. They also had a memorable trip to Virginia, when John had to report for naval obligations. For two weeks they were able to combine Johns duties with some family fun.

John continued his passion for hunting and fishing, going with Susans brothers and his life-long buddies from high school. He also enjoyed golf, racing down the luge track at the Muskegon Winter Sports complex and cheering for the local team at high school football games.

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, John was called up for active duty and spent a year doing harbor patrol at the Submarine Base in Connecticut. His family stayed behind in Muskegon.

John and Susan began to have problems in their marriage. They separated for a time, eventually divorcing. John kept in contact with the children he loved so dearly.

At first John lived with friends, then found a place of his own. He continued hunting and fishing with his friends and even found a steady girlfriend. When John and his girlfriend started to have problems, things started to spiral downward. Sadly, Johns life ended in tragedy.

John was truly a mans man. He had a special bond with his father and son. He was a Navy man who performed his duty at 9/11. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his buddies. He was a man who struggled with darkness, but he will be remembered by the children he loved so dearly and for the good memories he brought to his wife and friends.

Mr. John W. Walker, age 47, died Saturday, March 7, 2009.

SURVIVORS

Children, Algeny Lisa Walker, John Wyatt Walker and their mother, Susan Walker; mother, Louise Walker; brothers, Robert Walker, Charles Walker; and several other relatives.

SERVICE

Saturday, March 14, 2009, 3:00 PM at Clock Chapel.

VISITATION

Saturday, one hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Special Olympics. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.

Clock Life Story- Muskegon

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