Gerald H. ‘Jerry’ Walker, 89, former Chief Appraiser for Grays Harbor County and Rainier Bank manager in Cosmopolis and Montesano, died Monday, March 16, 2015 in Aberdeen, WA.
Jerry was born on August 4, 1925 in Elma, WA to Russell and Margaret Walker. He graduated from Elma High School in May 1943 and went to work at Bremerton Naval Shipyard on ships damaged at Pearl Harbor.
He joined the Navy on July 2, 1943. After boot camp and training at the Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho, he was sent to North Africa and Corsica to join Squadron 15 on PT Boat 215, which assisted in the Allied Invasion of Southern France in Spring of 1944. Later he was transferred to Squadron 9, PT Boat 319 in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in April, 1946. He was proud to have served his country during WWII.
On November 27, 1948 Jerry and Mary Kathleen Havens were married in St. John’s Catholic Church, Montesano. They raised their six children in Montesano and had celebrated 64 years of marriage until Kathleen's death on March 30, 2013.
In 1957 Jerry went to work for the National Bank of Commerce in Montesano and later in Aberdeen. He was branch manager of the Cosmopolis branch of Rainier Bank and finished his banking career as manager of the Montesano Rainier Bank. Jerry retired from banking in 1978 and later worked for the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office as Chief Appraiser for 12 years, retiring in July 1990.
A lifetime member of St. John's Catholic Church in Montesano, he was a tireless volunteer and a man of faith. Jerry was a Past Post Commander of Montesano VFW and served on the Honor Guard for many years. He also was on the City of Montesano Board of Adjustment, Lion's Club member, and United Way volunteer. Jerry enjoyed clam digging, fishing and playing golf. He was a Montesano Bulldog Booster and followed Montesano High School sports. He was on the MHS football Chain-Gang for over 10 years. He rarely missed a game in which his children or grandchildren played, and continued to attend high school sporting events until 2013.
Jerry Walker was known for his gentle sense of humor. He was a family man who enjoyed attending the many school, music, and sport activities of his six children. He was a blessing to his mother-in-law Esther Havens and maintained her home for many years.
Jerry is survived by six children: Teresa (Frank) Jones of Pullman, Janet (Rick) Holland of Anchorage, AK, Michael Walker of Seattle, Maureen (Gary) Espedal of Montesano, David (Sandi) Walker of Everett, and Robert (Lynn) Walker of Mt. Vernon; Thirteen grandchildren: Darren (Keri) Jones, Justin Jones, Sarah Holland, Eric Holland, Curtis Espedal, Craig (Brittany) Espedal, Justine Walker, Krista Walker, Reed Walker, Preston Walker, Lauren Walker, Jillian Walker and Gabriel Walker; Four great grandchildren: Colby Jones, Courtney Jones, Isabelle Shelton and Easton Espedal. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harold Walker.
A Rosary service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm at St. John's Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass is on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Montesano with a reception to follow. Inurnment with military honors will be at Montesano Wynooche Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
A message of condolence or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Memorial donations are suggested for the Montesano Volunteer Fire Dept., 310 E. Pioneer Ave., Montesano, WA 98563.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Walker, please visit our flower store.
Jerry was born on August 4, 1925 in Elma, WA to Russell and Margaret Walker. He graduated from Elma High School in May 1943 and went to work at Bremerton Naval Shipyard on ships damaged at Pearl Harbor.
He joined the Navy on July 2, 1943. After boot camp and training at the Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho, he was sent to North Africa and Corsica to join Squadron 15 on PT Boat 215, which assisted in the Allied Invasion of Southern France in Spring of 1944. Later he was transferred to Squadron 9, PT Boat 319 in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in April, 1946. He was proud to have served his country during WWII.
On November 27, 1948 Jerry and Mary Kathleen Havens were married in St. John’s Catholic Church, Montesano. They raised their six children in Montesano and had celebrated 64 years of marriage until Kathleen's death on March 30, 2013.
In 1957 Jerry went to work for the National Bank of Commerce in Montesano and later in Aberdeen. He was branch manager of the Cosmopolis branch of Rainier Bank and finished his banking career as manager of the Montesano Rainier Bank. Jerry retired from banking in 1978 and later worked for the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office as Chief Appraiser for 12 years, retiring in July 1990.
A lifetime member of St. John's Catholic Church in Montesano, he was a tireless volunteer and a man of faith. Jerry was a Past Post Commander of Montesano VFW and served on the Honor Guard for many years. He also was on the City of Montesano Board of Adjustment, Lion's Club member, and United Way volunteer. Jerry enjoyed clam digging, fishing and playing golf. He was a Montesano Bulldog Booster and followed Montesano High School sports. He was on the MHS football Chain-Gang for over 10 years. He rarely missed a game in which his children or grandchildren played, and continued to attend high school sporting events until 2013.
Jerry Walker was known for his gentle sense of humor. He was a family man who enjoyed attending the many school, music, and sport activities of his six children. He was a blessing to his mother-in-law Esther Havens and maintained her home for many years.
Jerry is survived by six children: Teresa (Frank) Jones of Pullman, Janet (Rick) Holland of Anchorage, AK, Michael Walker of Seattle, Maureen (Gary) Espedal of Montesano, David (Sandi) Walker of Everett, and Robert (Lynn) Walker of Mt. Vernon; Thirteen grandchildren: Darren (Keri) Jones, Justin Jones, Sarah Holland, Eric Holland, Curtis Espedal, Craig (Brittany) Espedal, Justine Walker, Krista Walker, Reed Walker, Preston Walker, Lauren Walker, Jillian Walker and Gabriel Walker; Four great grandchildren: Colby Jones, Courtney Jones, Isabelle Shelton and Easton Espedal. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harold Walker.
A Rosary service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm at St. John's Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass is on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Montesano with a reception to follow. Inurnment with military honors will be at Montesano Wynooche Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
A message of condolence or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Memorial donations are suggested for the Montesano Volunteer Fire Dept., 310 E. Pioneer Ave., Montesano, WA 98563.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Walker, please visit our flower store.
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