WALKER, Donal (Don) Lee

Silver Creek Mortuary, Taylor, Arizona Donal Lee Walker (February 19, 1948 - February 20, 2014) Donal Lee Walker, 66, passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones after a courageous year-long battle with Stage IV colon cancer, February 20, 2014. Don was born February 19, 1948 to parents Robert and Janet Walker. He was born in San Diego, California and grew up primarily in San Diego and Escondido, California. He graduated from Orange Glen High School in Escondido, CA in 1966. While in high school, Don met the love of his life, Judy Ebner, while attending the Escondido First United Methodist Church youth group. They were married at the church on February 28, 1970. After Don graduated high school he joined the United States Navy in 1967 and served until 1975 as a Hospital Corpsman. Don served with the United States Marine Corp and with the United States Armed Services Entry Station. Don attended Palomar College in San Marcos, CA and also Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA where he received an Associates Science Degree in Bio-Medical Technology. He worked over 20 years as a Cardio Pulmonary Technologist at Palomar Hospital, Escondido, CA, Good Samaritan, Los Angeles, Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach, CA and Corona Regional Hospital, Corona, CA. He and his wife raised their two daughters in Southern California, primarily in Norco, CA where they lived for 13 years. In 1999, Don and Judy moved to Snowflake, Arizona where they purchased 60 acres of land and established J and D Ranch. Don worked for Navajo County for over 12 Years and in April 2012 he retired from Navajo County Public Health Department as Program Manager for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Department. Don was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother. He worked hard all his life but always put his family first. If it was broken, he could fix it; if it needed to be built, he could build it. He was the family’s mechanic and handy man. His sense of humor was priceless and if you met him once, you instantly liked him. He was our hero who put a brave fight against Colon Cancer this last year. Don is survived by his wife Judy of nearly 44 years; children Nicole (Walker) Reeves and Kimberly Walker; grandchildren Abigail, Joshua and Hannah Reeves; brothers George Walker, Richard Walker, Jon Walker and Marc Walker; and his sister Pam Walker. Don is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Janet Walker; and oldest brother Robert Walker. A celebration of life will be held at the Valley View Baptist Church in Snowflake, AZ, March 8th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Another service will be held at a later date in his hometown of Escondido, CA. Interment will follow in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.