Walker, Keith Leon, Lt Col (Retired), age 77, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away June 28, 2009.
He was born in Parsons, Kan., on Dec. 12, 1931, the son of the late Earl and Nina Walker of Carthage, Mo. He graduated from the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., in 1954 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., and obtained his masters degree in Industrial Engineering in 1965. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, he joined the United States Air Force and became a pilot. He flew missions primarily to South America and Vietnam. He had various assignments serving in the Canal Zone, Philippines, Vietnam, Illinois, California and retired from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, as Chief of the Management Systems Division in 1975.
After retiring from the United States Air Force, he worked in the information systems and logistics areas at Computer Sciences Corporation in Dayton, Ohio, and Loral Aerospace in San Jose, Calif.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Wilma Jean (Little) Walker; five sons, David walker of Boulder, Western Australia, Dr. Mark R. Walker (Linda) of Albany, Ore., Craig Walker of Cameron Park, Calif., Dennis Atkins and Douglas Atkins (Christina), both of Springfield, Ohio; sister, Janette Danford of Bella Vista, Ark.; brother, Dale Walker (Rachel) of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Walker of Aurora, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Walker of Tucson, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Walker; brother, Howard Walker; and brother-in-law, Max Danford. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; two nieces and one nephew.
Keith was a life member of the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans and the Society of Logistics Engineers.
The family would like to thank Patriot Ridge Community in Fairborn, Ohio, and Dr. John Sefton of Beavercreek, Ohio, for their loving care.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Jackson Lytle Williams Funeral Home, Springfield, Ohio, with a celebration of Keith’s life beginning at 2 p.m. Pastor John Essig of Fellowship Christian Church officiating. Private inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family at Heritage Hills Memory Gardens, Springboro, Ohio.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.jacksonlytle.com.
