John Curtis Walker

John Curtis Walker passed away on Thursday, November 26th, 2020 at the age of 89.

He will be lovingly remembered by daughters Debby Walker, Karen (Jim) Cubberley, son Philip (Bridget) Walker, grandchildren Samuel Cubberley, Emma Walker, Katelyn Cubberley, and Lily Walker.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean (Geike) on March 1, 2019, his brother Charles Walker and sisters Elizabeth Laetz, Joan Russell, Charlotte Cloft, and Marion Walker.

John was born September 30, 1931 to Leland and Beatrice Walker in Niles, MI. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1954 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a cheerleader and gymnast (captain his senior year). John obtained the degree of Master of Automotive Engineering from The Chrysler Institute. He met Betty at Michigan State and they were married on December 26, 1954.

After serving in the Air Force, John worked for Walker Manufacturing, designing mufflers for automobiles. His long career at Walker took him and his family to Northern Ireland, where he managed the manufacturing plant, to Northern England, where he oversaw the UK operations, and back to Racine, Wisconsin where he was the General Manager of Jacks and Hydraulic Service Equipment. John and Betty moved to St. Louis, Missouri when the division was sold to Lincoln St. Louis and John continued to lead the operations under new ownership and also assumed Chief Engineer responsibilities. 

Together with his wife, John was an active volunteer in community and church throughout his life, serving as election judge, as a Calvary Church Elder, Stephen's Minister and trainer, and volunteering and leading in various capacities with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) for Kent County and for Community Mental Health Services of Michigan since he and Betty moved to Grand Rapids to live in Cascade Woods in 1989.

John was most known for his deep Christian faith, passion for service to others, his clever and creative handyman abilities, his love of golf and dedication to running, his mischievous and playful sense of humor, and for his tenacity and tireless advocacy for the mentally ill and their families. 

As a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, mentor and friend with a large extended family, he will be lovingly remembered by many.

There will be a small family service held on Friday, December 4th at 2PM, which will be live streamed on the Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home website below.

A memorial service may be planned in the Summer of 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to NAMI, Calvary Church, or Samaritas.

Please click here for a link to Betty J Walker's Obituary.

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