John Stratford Walker, 91, of Palm Coast, Fla., formerly of Bremen, passed away Dec. 24 at the Grand Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Palm Coast, Fla.
John was born June 15, 1922 in Springfield, Mass., the son of Ella Raymond Walker and Ralph Dewey Walker. John graduated from Agawam High School in Massachusetts in 1941. There he played football and was awarded a full athletics scholarship to North Carolina State College.
In 1940 John joined the Infantry Civilian Military Training Corps, and this started his military career. During WWII he served in the U.S. Marines and earned the rank of sergeant. Later he received his commission in the Army of the United States and served in the 112th Aviation Company, Maine National Guard. His last command was with the State Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the Maine Army National Guard.
John graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in forestry. He worked for several paper companies and cruised and surveyed in the states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. He retired as director of the Maine Forest Service in 1979.
During this time as a forester, he completed the first exterior founding survey of Baxter State Park. He did this during the winter months of 1970-1971 with a 12-man crew. Walker was a pilot and, at times, flew missions for the Department of Forestry.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Lucille Thibault Walker, formerly of Cumberland; daughters, Jill L. Fisher (William) of Hallowell, and Jackie Nickerson of Venice, Fla.; stepchildren, Philip Thibault of Cumberland, and Pauline Eklund of San Diego, Cal.; and former wife June Smith Walker, formerly of Agawam, Mass.; five grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
All services were private.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.
All arrangements are under direct supervision of the Lohman Funeral Home, Palm Coast, Fla.
