John Walker

John was born in Balcarres, Saskatchewan on June 26, 1936 to Bob and Olive Walker. John attended school in Balcarres and as a teenaged husband and father he was incredibly lucky to find the strongest and most nurturing woman in the angelic "Saint Dolores". It's doubtful that another woman existed who could raise three children and thrive in a relationship with John Walker while keeping his often less than healthy lifestyle choices relatively under control. John received his Teacher's Certification at the age of 19 and they started their very young life together at the Violette School north of Balcarres, soon moved to teach at Abernethy, then Indian Head. John and Dolores were farmers at heart and by 1969, they knew that they would soon be taking over Papa and Grandma Newstead's farm. A wild and crazy, but wise decision was made to take the still young family on an adventure to the Peace Country of Alberta where John taught until 1973, when they realized their dream and moved back to Balcarres to become farmers and to finish his teaching career. Throughout his life travels, John was the proverbial "larger than life" guy. He lived large, ate large, partied large. The term "moderation" was a word totally alien to his sensibilities. If you met him, you didn't easily forget him. Gatherings where he was present almost always ended up with him front and center. No one else could take a 20 second joke, stretch it to 15 minutes and still have his audience hanging onto every word. He had that persona that allowed him to hurl verbal barbs that would be considered cruel insults coming from anyone else but would elicit laughter from even the most stodgy of recipients. You knew that he was fond of you if you were greeted on the street with "hey fat-girl", "you little p-head", or the famous fist wave. The Walker residence was "party central" for so many team, staff, friend and family functions. John was a loving father, and a proud and dedicated grandfather. When it came to his grandkids, every baseball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, or any activity for that matter, that "could" be attended, "was" attended religiously. Sports always played a front and center roll in John's life. He played, but more importantly coached, and touched many young lives over several generations, adding to the "everyone knows John Walker" phenomenon. If you didn't believe that he was a great man, then at the least you would have to concede that he was a phenomenal man. That he was "audacious", goes without saying. Audacious (as per Merriam-Webster Dictionary): very confident and daring, very bold and surprising or shocking, marked by originality and verve, nervy, brash, brassy, cheeky, cocky, impertinent, impudent, insolent, rash, sassy, saucy, wise. John and Dolores were a team that did everything together. When Dolores passed in 2006, there was a hole in his heart that could never be filled and indeed he never tried.

John was predeceased by his loving wife Dolores, father and mother Bob and Olive Walker, in- laws Art and Marion Newstead, sister-in-law Patty Walker, brothers-in-law Jack Binner and George Forsythe, and his granddaughter Erin Walker. John is survived by his brother and sister Jerome Walker and Florence Forsythe, sister-in-law Dianne Newstead, children Terry (Fran) Walker, Cathy (Bill) Hyndman, Wendy (Fred) Stilborn, his grandchildren Joanne (Dan) Hompoth, Ryan Walker (Ashley Davies), Amanda (Jay) Dixon, Ross Stilborn (Becky Holden), great-grandchildren Olivia and Madeline Hompoth, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

At John's request, there will be no funeral. A private family interment of ashes will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services.