Jeffrey Dean Van De Walker

Jeffrey Van De Walker, 61, formerly of Longmont passed away on July 3, 2023, in Pensacola, Florida at Baptist Hospital. He was only recently diagnosed with cancer and had started treatment. All of which took him from us to soon.

Jeffrey (Jeff) was born December 24, 1961, in Spokane Washington to Willard (Bill) and Enid (Olson) Van De Walker. Jeff arrived home to meet his family and celebrate Christmas early, especially with his brother Mark who was very happy to have an extra special Christmas present to share his life with.

The family enjoyed life in Spokane, enjoying many trips to the Coast of Oregon: Salmon fishing and clam digging. A job change relocated the family to Great Falls, Montana. Life in Montana was full of new exciting adventures, and much to everyone’s happiness a sister Kristin (Krisie) was born. We started camping, fishing and hiking with many trips throughout Montana, Canada and any possible winter skiing areas in the nearby mountains. Jeff became a great teacher and entertainer for his little sister, let alone the locals and his friends.

In the Summer of 1970, their father was offered a new career with Mitsubishi Group of Japan, and relocating was necessary. The choice of Longmont, Colorado was a very small town at the time. Little did we know what influence and longevity the town would leave on our family unit.

Jeff enrolled in Hygiene Elementary, attending through 6th grade. He joined the band and played Saxophone extremely well. Jeff met many friends that became forever friends, consistently in touch through the years. During his time at Hygiene Elementary he also spent some time running track, as a testament to him running off to Clark’s store for candy, that was not allowed, he got caught all the time!

Jeff joined the Cub Scouts, troop 166, and continued for many years. He attended summer camp at Ben-Del-tour near Red Feathers, and later Wind River in Wyoming. He earned his Order of the Arrow.

Camping trips were every month except December. He, along with his brother Mark, Troop 166 and other friends claimed Longs Peak. Together they did the “50 Miler” of the front range that took most of a week. At the age of 12 Jeff received his climbing rope, learning skills at the summer camp, and as often as possible, he and friends did weekend climbs in the nearby canyons.

At the age of eighteen Jeff and some friends decided to work in the oilfields of Oklahoma. They soon decided to go to the Gulf of Mexico and try for work on offshore oil drilling. They were hired (after several haircuts “short”.) They started school and worked with Reading and Bates. Jeff enjoyed life fully out in the Gulf of Mexico. He later relocated to Pensacola Beach, Florida and continued to commute to his offshore work. Pensacola Beach became his forever happy place.

Jeff started learning building trades and enjoyed learning new skills. Finally taking him to a development project at Disney to build a hotel and restaurant. His next big project took him to Puerto Rico for seven years, when asking what he was building, he replied “we’re repairing everything Columbus built”! As Jeff had an extreme ability to adapt to situations and surroundings he stayed in the same career for the rest of his life: working, learning, communicating and being a leader. He was appointed a role as Project Manager building Resort Hotels and other commercial projects. His longest project was the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman, taking five years. He formed many strong bonds with the crew that persisted long beyond the job. At the time Hurricane Ivan hit, the area was submerged in water, the crew survived by teamwork, climbing to the top with Jeff as an integral figure. After Grand Cayman, Jeff continued to work on other projects in various Islands of the Caribbean. The last and final was a Marriot in St Thomas, Virgin Island BWI, with the next plan going on to Bermuda.

Jeff’s future intentions were to retire, marry “the love of his life” and live in Costa Rica. Jeff lived a spectacular life. He lived and worked where he wanted to be, on the beautiful sunny islands of the Caribbean. He lived his life to the fullest and checked off just about every item on his bucket list, with no regrets. The family thanks the staff and friends at St John’s Lutheran Church, Pensacola for providing comfort and prayers and being with him. He will be missed by many.

Jeff is survived by his mother Enid Van De walker, sister Kristin Van De Walker, husband JR Gonzales, Niece Serena Dageenakis (David) and Great Nephews, Christian and Tyson, along with numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Willard D Van De Walker and brother Mark Jon Van De Walker.

A Celebration for Life for Jeffrey will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Ryssby Cemetery, 9000 N. 63rd Street, Longmont, Colorado 80503.