John C. Walker

John Charles Walker, 83, Washington, died February 1, 2017. Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February, 4, at the Washington United Methodist Church, Washington. Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. Gina Miller was organist and the congregation sang "In the Garden" and "It Is Well with My Soul." Visitation was Friday, February 3, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 5 to 7. Pall bearers were Paul Monty, Rod Eaton, Gene Martin, Todd Burt, Ernie Scheetz and Kenneth Schoen. Honorary pallbearers were Junior Werner and Linus Linenberger. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. John was born at McCracken, KS on December 22, 1933 to Paul E. and Esther (Elias) Walker. He attended school in McCracken up to the 2nd grade, then the family moved to LaCrosse, where he graduated high school. John worked as a roughneck in the area oil fields. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Polk, LA. He then worked for a local hardware store before working for the City of LaCrosse as a lineman in 1961. He eventually became the Electrical Superintendent. In August of 1963, he married Jeanne Overfield at Epworth Methodist Church in Wichita.They lived in LaCrosse where he was a member of the United Methodist Church, Jaycees, Masonic Lodge (25-year member and a past Master), Salina Consistory, Isis Shrine, Order of Eastern Star, an Auxiliary policeman, deputy sheriff, a volunteer fireman, called bingo weekly for VFW and bowled. In 1975, the family moved to Washington, KS, where he was the City Superintendent until his retirement in 1997. In Washington, he was a member of the United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Rotary, bowled and later golfed. John was a member of Kansas Municipal Utilities, serving as president from 1986-1987 and was on the Board of Directors from 1980-1997. In 1993, he received the Edgar P. Showalter award at the annual conference. John was also on the board of Kansas Municipal Energy Association for several years. John loved to make people laugh with jokes, he memorized routines from records and crazy true-life experiences. Gardening was a big part of summer activities. After his retirement, he began cooking for family and friends; the best gravy ever. He spent many hours canning tomatoes and beef. He was famous for his Texas Salsa. John took several trips with good friends. A small herd of cattle was part of his life in LaCrosse and another in Washington. The brand was registered as Wrinkle Butt Cattle Company. Hours were spent at the pasture in western Washington County fishing. In the later years, he could be found watching old western movies and television series. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister and husband, Pauline and Jay Frazier. John is survived by his wife, Jeanne; son, Donnie Walker, Washington; daughter, Laura (Brad) Callahan, Ottawa; a sister, Nancy (Ben) Doughty, Commerce, TX and the delight of his life, granddaughters, Lydia and Quincy. A memorial fund has been established to the United Methodist Church or Meadowlark Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John C. Walker, please visit our flower store.