Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:00 am
Feb. 21, 1933 - June 20, 2009
Jon Edwin Walker, 76, of Corvallis died June 20.
Jon was born in Lompoc, Calif., to Frank and Esther Walker. He married Imogene "Jean" Alexander on Dec. 22, 1951, in Hernando, Miss.
He grew up in Grants Pass, where he learned to trap mink, beaver and other animals to make money for clothing and school supplies. He attended high school in Grants Pass and was on the state championship football team in 1948 as well as a member of the Grants Pass High School Hall of Fame.
He served as a radioman and repairman in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1953.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Oregon State University in 1958.
He worked as a teacher, programmer, innovator and entrepreneur. In 1972, he founded Advanced Control Technology in Roseburg, which later moved to Albany.
Jon learned to pilot single- and multi-engine aircraft. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was also a great fan of all the OSU Beaver athletic teams and contributed greatly to the Beaver Club.
Jon was very inspirational to hundreds of people who knew him and worked for him. He touched many lives and positively influenced everyone that knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Imogene Walker of Corvallis; two sisters, Nancy Granas and husband Mike of Eugene, and Eileen Patrick and husband Bob of Walnut Creek, Calif.; daughter Nancy Jean Reece and husband Dave of Albany; son Jon Edwin Walker Jr. and wife Cindy of Corvallis; four grandchildren, Lexi Crawford and husband Bart of Klamath Falls, David Reece of Corvallis, Jon "Jonny" Edwin Walker III and Wylea Walker of Corvallis; great-grandson Walker Crawford of Klamath Falls; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Dottie Holley, and nephew Mark Kincaid.
A memorial celebration will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 13, at the OSU LaSells Stewart Center in Corvallis.
In lieu of flowers at the memorial celebration, friends may donate to the American Cancer Society, OHSU Foundation or the OSU Foundation in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. S.W., Albany, OR 97321.