Daniel Craig Walker

Daniel Craig Walker passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, at the age of 89 in Fredericksburg, VA. He was born on May 10,1935, in Queens, NY to James G. and Anna L. Walker (‘nee Craig). He grew up in Tarrytown, NY and attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, graduating in 1953.

Dan graduated from Cornell University in 1957 with a Degree in Hospitality Management where he was an active member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity. Dan was a lifelong learner and returned to school later in life to obtain his Master of Science Degree in Foods and Nutrition from Eastern Michigan University in 1992. He was also a base Sargent in the Air National Guard at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Mattydale, NY during the years 1958 to 1963 honorably discharged on July 19, 1963.

Dan Walker started his career in hospitality at the New York City Roosevelt hotel. While working in the Big Apple, he met the love of his life Joan Ellen Comer, and they were married on November 19, 1960. Over the years Dan worked as Director of Operations or General Manager in many states for Holiday Inn or Hilton while they grew their family to five children, three daughters and two sons. While Dan had many adventures with Holiday Inn, traveling to Lebanon, Morocco, and Belgium to start up hotels, his favorite job was the Vice President of Operations at the Campus Inn (now the Graduate) in Ann Arbor, MI from 1982 to 1990. While in Ann Arbor, Dan became an enthusiastic fan of University of Michigan football and basketball which stayed with him through the end of his life. Go Blue!

Dan Walker also was a teacher for hospitality management at Washtenaw Community College, Eastern Michigan University, University of Detroit-Mercy, and Madonna University during the years of 1984 – 2002. Dan had a passion for education and hard work, something he instilled in his children.

Dan was actively involved in the Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered at the Catholic hospice home in Ann Arbor. While living in Ann Arbor he was an active member of the Rotary Club and sat on the board of the Washtenaw Community College Hospitality Committee, Eastern Michigan University Chair of the Hospitality Committee, Washtenaw County Accommodations Commission and the Michigan Hotel & Resort Industry Association, Chair of the Education Committee.

Aside from work, Dan loved to sail with Joan on their sailboat ‘After U’ out of the Toledo Beach Marina on Lake Erie. When his family was growing, he bought a beach house in Charlestown, RI that the family returned to for many decades. His children have happy memories there swimming in the ocean, visiting cousins and friends, cookouts, nights at the drive in, going mini golfing and getting soft serve ice cream. There was a family tradition of taking one last dip in the ocean before head home for the summer.

In 2002, he married Marylin Derasmo and shortly thereafter they moved to Rehoboth Beach, DE. Dan was again active in the Catholic Church there and continued as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also joined the American Legion and could be found there many weekends dancing with Marylin. They moved to Fredericksburg, VA in 2016.

Dan Walker was preceded in death by his spouse Joan Walker who passed in 1997 and stepson Peter Derasmo in 2020.

Dan is survived by his second wife Marylin of Fredericksburg, VA, sister Anne Hayes of San Diego, CA, daughter Ellen A. Walker, her husband R. Kyle Palmer of Philadelphia PA, (their sons Aaron and Nicholas Palmer), son James M. Walker, his wife Jeanne (‘nee Bruff), of Jackson, MI (their daughter Brittany Mortimer and husband Austin, (great grandsons Wayne and Clark), son Daniel John, daughters Tess and Ellen), son Daniel C. Walker, Jr. his wife Ofe ‘nee Ornelas of Lafayette, IN, (their son Maxwell, his step grandson Mitchell Schuring, wife Christen, (step great grandchildren Luxe and Dallas) and step granddaughter Monica Schuring and her husband Nick Hulse), daughter Nancy L. Walker of

Sterling, VA (her daughter and sons Alessandra, Daniel and James Llanas) and daughter Anne W. Crissey, her husband Torin of North Reading, MA, (their sons Colin and Jonah). In addition, Dan is survived by his stepchildren Paul Derasmo, DeeDee Derasmo and her husband Bruce, and Bill and Jennifer Derasmo (their daughters and son Kelly, William, and Isabella). Dan is also survived by seventeen nieces and nephews, too many to name here but still beloved by him, nonetheless.

The family would like to thank Bill and Jen Derasmo, the caregivers Masood, Nancy, Vernice, Ellen, and Jessica for the care and compassion they showed Dad, especially during his hospice care.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 530 Elizabeth St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 10 am with burial to follow at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 on Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 5 – 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Dan Walker’s honor to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.