Ian Graham Walsh

Ian Graham Walsh entered the world ten days late on Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at Roseville Sutter. He left it far too early on Friday, August 21, 2020 at his home in Penryn. He was twenty-one years young.

Ian was such a happy little boy with a big toothy grin and loved to make funny faces. He rode bikes and climbed walls and did the things little boys are supposed to. He idolized Steve Irwin and would wrestle his croccie muttering “By Crikey!” for years. Ian’s favorite color was green. He attended Penryn Elementary where he made great friendships that lasted his lifetime. Del Oro was his high school, but he graduated from Horizon Charter School in 2017.

The first sport Ian joined was Penryn Baseball League. Oh, the friends we all made there. Ian was a competitive gymnast, winning many medals and trophies. He played rugby where he was willing to tackle players twice his size. Ian played soccer, rode BMX bikes, and even joined the Sierra College dive team. He loved snowboarding and watersports and just having fun. Ian visited Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Mexico, and South Africa. He was excited to travel to Italy next year with his family. He was a bit of a foodie and loved to cook. Olives were his favorite snack and he made a bowl of marinated olives most nights. The olive branches on his wreath pay homage to his future trip.

In 2020 Ian began working for IBEW Local 340 as a construction wireman. He took to it, embraced it; at last Ian saw a future he wanted and was looking forward to it.

Ian’s young death has left us torn, but we will not let his memory fade, we will not let his name die. Ian is survived by his parents, Burton Walsh of Rocklin, California, and Judy McKeig of Penryn, California, along with his younger brother, Gavin; grandmothers Gail Walsh of Roseville, California, and Barbara Benson of Hillcrest, South Africa, and step-grandmother, Tina Benson of Bedfordview, South Africa. He is predeceased by his grandfathers, Burton Walsh Sr. of Roseville, California, and Graham Benson of Bedfordview, South Africa.

Ian’s service and burial is Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 11am at Newcastle Cemetery, 850 Taylor Road, Newcastle.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Chapel of the Hills. Please call (530) 885-3773 for more information.