OBITUARY
RONALD DEWITT WALKER, 1931-2021
Ronald Dewitt Walker was born 18 April 1931 in Fenelton, Pennsylvania to Rev. Clair Dewitt Walker and Clara Mae Fennel. Ron was the last of three Walker kids; sister Alma Ruth Walker, b.1925 and brother Donald Clair Walker, b.1928. Ron was raised in the small towns of Sligo and Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Ron attended Kittanning High School, played varsity football, on the line, and graduated 26 May 1950. Ron didn't have very much time to celebrate and enjoy his graduation; because, just the next month—June, the Korean War got kicked-off.
Ron decided to answer his country's call for help. Ron joined the Navy, completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, Illinois, 09 Nov 1950 and shipped out immediately to the Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan in support of the war effort. The war kept Ron very busy, intensely busy, with duty assignments in Japan and Korea, but there was occasional down time to decompress from front line action. By very early 1953, Ron's combat role was less in Korea and more concentrated in Japan.
Ron, was in a camera shop in Yokosuka when he was introduced to a beautiful Japanese woman, Sawako Takahashi; Ron was absolutely smitten—simply captivated. Sawako was working in Yokosuka via Nara-ken a suburb of Osaka. Even with Ron's poor Japanese and Sawako's very limited English, they immediately hit it off and decided to marry.
Ron and Sawako married at a time when marriages between American's and Japanese were not encouraged, on the contrary, even bluntly discouraged, especially by Ron's WWII veteran Navy OIC. The war years of WWII, plus the difficult post-war recovery years were still fresh in the minds and memories of many; Ron and Sawako were undaunted. They recited their marriage vows in Yokohama, Japan, 21 Sep 1953 (it was a Monday), and set-up house at 61-3 Chome, Shioiri, Yokosuka.
A son named James Clair Walker was born to them, 29 Aug 1954 in the Navy hospital at Yokosuka and their daughter Alice Mae Walker arrived 23 Aug 1956 in Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Ron was honorably discharged from the Navy, having served for six years in Japan and Korea, he had decided a military career was not in the cards. Ron and family returned to Pennsylvania in 1956.
Ron established a career in sales; and won awards for Outstanding Salesman and Highest Producing Salesman many times. Ron's sales career took him and his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio, to Texas, to New Mexico and finally Southern California. Ron tried to be involved in the activities of his local community; he was Santa Claus. Ron put it all on: the fake fat belly, the red suit with the white piping, shiny black boots, a billowing white beard and it was all topped off with a floppy red Santa hat dangling a big white fuzzy pom-pom. He was every bit the spittin' image of Old Saint Nick, right down to the twinkle in his eye, cheeks like roses with a nose like a cherry.
Santa Claus arrived via helicopter (Rudolph and the crew were otherwise occupied) and as Ron stepped out from the helicopter in front of all the local kids, everyone was greeted by Ron's… Ho-Ho-Ho!!, now that would qualify as quite the grand entry, the kids loved it. Ron retired his successful sales career with the Nestlé Candy Company.
Ron enjoyed his retirement: traveling [they especially enjoyed Cruising], seeing the floor shows in Las Vegas and wrestling with the one-arm bandit, visiting with family—including the Japanese side; cheering on his favorite pro-wrestlers; providing vociferous encouragement to his favorite Sumo Wrestlers, he never missed a Honbasho if he could help it; loyally rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Kittanning was just 40 miles from Pittsburgh) and spoiling his 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (that's just what grandpa's do). Ron and Sawako had a unique experience as grand-folks; some of their great grandkids are in their early 20s, growing-up, living life, heading off to college hearing the advice and guidance of their great grandparent's, few youngsters have such a remarkable relationship with their great grandparents. Ron could never restrain his pleasure or excitement at seeing them, any time the great grandkids or the grandkids dropped-in for a visit.
Ron was residing at the Tracy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Tracy, California when on or about 1450 hours, 30 August 2021, he peacefully passed away after a long illness. Sawako and Alice were at his bedside to let him know he was not alone during his last moments, they were there, he was 90.
Ron was predeceased by his father Clair, his mother Clara, his brother Donnie and his son James. He is survived by Sawako his wife of 67 years, his daughter Alice (Mike) Kregness, and his sister Ruth Gray. Grandkids are: Anthony, Jimmy, Alexis and Asher. Great Grandkids are: Joseph, Seth, Jimmy, Moosh, Maliah, Jenna, and Aida. Interment will be at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, close to Jim, his son.
He is missed.
OBITUARY
RONALD DEWITT WALKER, 1931-2021
Ronald Dewitt Walker was born 18 April 1931 in Fenelton, Pennsylvania to Rev. Clair Dewitt Walker and Clara Mae Fennel. Ron was the last of three Walker kids; sister Alma Ruth Walker, b.1925 and brother Donald Clair Walker, b.1928. Ron was raised in the small towns of Sligo and Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Ron attended Kittanning High School, played varsity football, on the line, and graduated 26 May 1950. Ron didn't have very much time to celebrate and enjoy his graduation; because, just the next month—June, the Korean War got kicked-off.
Ron decided to answer his country's call for help. Ron joined the Navy, completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, Illinois, 09 Nov 1950 and shipped out immediately to the Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan in support of the war effort. The war kept Ron very busy, intensely busy, with duty assignments in Japan and Korea, but there was occasional down time to decompress from front line action. By very early 1953, Ron's combat role was less in Korea and more concentrated in Japan.
Ron, was in a camera shop in Yokosuka when he was introduced to a beautiful Japanese woman, Sawako Takahashi; Ron was absolutely smitten—simply captivated. Sawako was working in Yokosuka via Nara-ken a suburb of Osaka. Even with Ron's poor Japanese and Sawako's very limited English, they immediately hit it off and decided to marry.
Ron and Sawako married at a time when marriages between American's and Japanese were not encouraged, on the contrary, even bluntly discouraged, especially by Ron's WWII veteran Navy OIC. The war years of WWII, plus the difficult post-war recovery years were still fresh in the minds and memories of many; Ron and Sawako were undaunted. They recited their marriage vows in Yokohama, Japan, 21 Sep 1953 (it was a Monday), and set-up house at 61-3 Chome, Shioiri, Yokosuka.
A son named James Clair Walker was born to them, 29 Aug 1954 in the Navy hospital at Yokosuka and their daughter Alice Mae Walker arrived 23 Aug 1956 in Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Ron was honorably discharged from the Navy, having served for six years in Japan and Korea, he had decided a military career was not in the cards. Ron and family returned to Pennsylvania in 1956.
Ron established a career in sales; and won awards for Outstanding Salesman and Highest Producing Salesman many times. Ron's sales career took him and his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio, to Texas, to New Mexico and finally Southern California. Ron tried to be involved in the activities of his local community; he was Santa Claus. Ron put it all on: the fake fat belly, the red suit with the white piping, shiny black boots, a billowing white beard and it was all topped off with a floppy red Santa hat dangling a big white fuzzy pom-pom. He was every bit the spittin' image of Old Saint Nick, right down to the twinkle in his eye, cheeks like roses with a nose like a cherry.
Santa Claus arrived via helicopter (Rudolph and the crew were otherwise occupied) and as Ron stepped out from the helicopter in front of all the local kids, everyone was greeted by Ron's… Ho-Ho-Ho!!, now that would qualify as quite the grand entry, the kids loved it. Ron retired his successful sales career with the Nestlé Candy Company.
Ron enjoyed his retirement: traveling [they especially enjoyed Cruising], seeing the floor shows in Las Vegas and wrestling with the one-arm bandit, visiting with family—including the Japanese side; cheering on his favorite pro-wrestlers; providing vociferous encouragement to his favorite Sumo Wrestlers, he never missed a Honbasho if he could help it; loyally rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Kittanning was just 40 miles from Pittsburgh) and spoiling his 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (that's just what grandpa's do). Ron and Sawako had a unique experience as grand-folks; some of their great grandkids are in their early 20s, growing-up, living life, heading off to college hearing the advice and guidance of their great grandparent's, few youngsters have such a remarkable relationship with their great grandparents. Ron could never restrain his pleasure or excitement at seeing them, any time the great grandkids or the grandkids dropped-in for a visit.
Ron was residing at the Tracy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Tracy, California when on or about 1450 hours, 30 August 2021, he peacefully passed away after a long illness. Sawako and Alice were at his bedside to let him know he was not alone during his last moments, they were there, he was 90.
Ron was predeceased by his father Clair, his mother Clara, his brother Donnie and his son James. He is survived by Sawako his wife of 67 years, his daughter Alice (Mike) Kregness, and his sister Ruth Gray. Grandkids are: Anthony, Jimmy, Alexis and Asher. Great Grandkids are: Joseph, Seth, Jimmy, Moosh, Maliah, Jenna, and Aida. Interment will be at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, close to Jim, his son.
He is missed.
