Vernon John Walker

Vernon John Walker passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born February 18, 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, to John Douglas Walker and Ione Erickson Walker, and was the second of eleven children. His family moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 1929 where Vernon attended school at Lincoln Elementary, Bonneville Elementary, Irving Jr. High, and graduated from Pocatello High School. Just after graduation, he joined the CCC and, for about six months worked in the Payette Lakes area. During World War II, Vernon served in the US Coast Guard and for 31 months served as an electrician mate aboard a ship that traveled between Alaska and the Philippines. After his honorable release from the service, he served a mission for the LDS church in New Zealand.

Vernon graduated from Idaho State College with an associate''s degree in Electrical Engineering, and then returned to get a teaching degree. He eventually put both these degrees to use, working, for many years, at the Union Pacific Railroad on the midnight shift as an electrician, and teaching 6th grade at various schools in the Pocatello school district during the day. After his retirement from the school district, he continued to substitute teach and was a favorite because of his story-telling skills. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and, in his, "spare time," served in many leadership positions, including High Counselor, Stake Clerk, Stake Executive Secretary, Bishop, Scout master, and Patriarch.

On July 28, 1953, he married Sabra Whatcott in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and ten children were born to them: Kathleen Kimber (Steven), Hooper, UT; Shannon Walker, Roy, UT; Camille Walker (deceased); Brian Walker (Amy), Fort Worth, TX; Candice Farnes (David), Moscow, ID; April Solomon (Kevin), Pocatello, ID; Julie Bashford, Roy, UT; Sheldon Walker (Cindy), Hooper, UT; Jared Walker (Aimee) Roy, UT; and Rulon Walker (Keva), Roy, UT.

Vernon and Sabra served three missions together for the LDS church: New Zealand (temple) mission; Philippines, San Fernando (office) mission; and a mission to Ruskin, Florida (Church Farms) teaching English as a second language to the Spanish-speaking workers there. Before, after, and between these missions, they served in the Ogden Temple.

Vernon has always been known as a wise, honest, and hard-working man. He loved to read and was always learning new things. Fishing and hiking were another great enjoyment for him, and had some great stories dating back to his scouting days as a youth. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed by his wife, Sabra, nine children, 34 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Camille. We love you, Papa!

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 24th at 2 p.m. at Roy West Lake Ward Chapel, 2915 West 4425 South.

The family will meet with friends on Saturday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary.