Cyril Skeeter Joseph Walker

Cyril Joseph Walker passed away peacefully Saturday night at his home in Portland, Oregon. He was surrounded by his wife, Joan, and daughters, Marilynn and Bonnie. Cyril, lovingly known as Skeeter, by all who knew him, was 93. He was born in Mount Angel, Oregon on December 15, 1922, the second son of Frank and Otillia “Tillie” Walker. Skeeter attended high school at the Mount Angel Abbey until he graduated in 1940. He married his high school sweet heart, Cleo Ramp in 1945 and they had 3 children, Bonnie, Ron and Marilynn. After growing up on the farm, Skeeter worked in logging, hop farming and meat packing. In 1962, his wife Cleo Ramp Walker, passed away, and his daughter Bonnie, then 12, became head of the household. In 1965 the family moved to Portland, where Skeeter worked in the meat packing business until he bought the Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge in NE Portland in 1976. There, Skeeter worked long hours, seven days a week, making the Spare Room a very successful restaurant and music venue. He retired in 1997 at age 75. He stayed active in retirement and in 2005 married Joan Kollman. They were active world travelers and spent their winters in Indio, California. Skeeter was active in the Lions Club, being the local president and hosting a very successful bingo fund raising event every week. He was also a member of the Elks, American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Skeeter was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Frank, little brother Lawrence, and his son Ron. He is survived by his wife Joan Kollman Walker, daughters, Bonnie Lathrop and Marilynn Walker, and four grandchildren, Megan and Carly Lathrop and Scott and Grant Walker. A Rosary will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2016, followed by a mass at 10:30 and reception at 11:30 at Saint Rita Church at 10029 N.E. Prescott, in Portland, Oregon. Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to Saint Rita Church, where Skeeter was a long time member.