Keith Emerson Walker

March 25, 1926 – June 1, 2016

Keith Emerson Walker died peacefully on June 1, 2016. A proud resident of Gresham since 1962, Keith was born March 25, 1926 to Thomas Harold Walker and Francis Winifred Walker in Yakima, Washington. There, he was raised and graduated from Yakima High School in 1943. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Margaret Louise Dahlke. Within the year, the two were engaged. During that time, Keith served in the United States Army and wrote to Margaret almost daily. Often times, he would send her a telegram just to say, “I love you.” The happy couple married September 14, 1947 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church of Yakima. Keith continued to write notes professing his love to Margaret throughout their sixty – nine years of marriage.

Years after, the two moved to Seattle where Keith could pursue his love of science at the University of Washington. In 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology. From 1965 – 1968, he served as the Superintendent of Sunday School at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church of Gresham where he and his family attended for many years. It was also there that parishioners looked forward to seeing he and his wife dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Clause at the annual Christmas Bazaar. In 1971, Keith earned his pilot’s license as he loved to fly.

For thirty – six years, he was a pharmaceutical salesman. During that time, he was featured in the April 1977 edition of the Archives of Ophthalmology medical journal. As the “Service to Medicine Representative of the Month,” he was commended for his confidence, rapport with doctors and clients, extensive knowledge of medical products and trust within the medical community. He retired in 1990.

After retirement, Keith volunteered for the “Friends of Multnomah Falls” and was an active member of Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church of Portland. There, he was the Senior Warden, Treasurer, and warmly greeted parishioners each Sunday as an usher.

In addition to his many volunteer responsibilities, Keith had many hobbies. He was an avid rose gardener, enjoyed writing stories, traveling with his wife, Muggs (Margaret) and faithfully tended to his beloved backyard pool in preparation for the summers when his children, grandchildren and great – grandchildren would come to swim.

On of Keith’s most notable traits was his quick – wit. He was absolutely brilliant and lived to make others laugh. He regularly greeted loved – ones announcing, “Here I am. God’s Gift to the Women of the World!” and entertained with his jokes followed by saying, “Laugh, or I’ll tell it again.”

To those fortunate enough to have known him, he was kind and thoughtful soul. He had a gentleness about him that had an impact greater than he ever knew. To his family, he was Poppi, always and foremost concerned with their happiness, comfort and well-being. Even in his later years, he would say, “No sad songs for me. Always leave them laughing.”

Keith is survived by his wife, Margaret Walker, two children, Thomas Parker Walter (Terri) and Juli Johnson (Steve), four grandchildren, Shelley Walker, Thomas Michael Walker (Rochelle), Fletcher Johnson (Christina) and Taylor Johnson and his two great – grandchildren, Emelia Walker and Cash Walker.

A funeral will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church, 247 S.E. 82nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97216 on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow.