Jerry Walker

Jerry F. Walker, Sr., 69, of Kearney, died Friday, May 28, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 5 at the First Baptist Church in Kearney with Rev. Kevin Holloway officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Navy Honors Team in conjunction with American Legion Post 52 and VFW Post 759 of Kearney. Interment will be at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family. He was born April 1, 1941 in Early, IA to Irvin and Josephine (Dublinske) Walker. He grew up in Early and received his education at Crestland High School in Early and Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA. Jerry entered the U.S. Navy January 5, 1960 and served during the Vietnam War. He retired with an honorable discharge March 31, 1980. On January 11, 1969, he married Marci Rains in the chapel at the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA. The couple lived in San Diego, CA, Escondido, CA, Venture, CA, Point Mugu, CA and many other duty stations during his military career. Jerry served with Tail-Hook Squadrons aboard several aircraft carriers, including the Kitty Hawk, Constellation, Enterprise, Forestall and others. He was an aviation electrician for the Huey helicopters, F-4s and F-14 "Tomcats". He traveled around the world, stopping at many ports He also worked with the Navy's Blue Angels when they flew the F-4s. After he retired from the Navy, they moved to Early, IA and then in 1981 to Kearney, NE, where he was employed by Good Samaritan Hospital as Director of Engineering and Maintenance, Kearney Public Schools as Director of Buildings and Grounds, and Siemens as a Project Engineer. After he retired, he was employed by Canning Trucking as a semi driver. Jerry and his wife were foster parents to over 200 foster children in California, Iowa and Nebraska. Jerry was a member of the Kearney First Baptist Church, VFW, an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska, president of the State of Nebraska Custodial Association and Kearney Area Barbershoppers, where he served as president for four years. He was also named Barbershopper of the Year. Jerry was a kind, decent, gentle man who never spoke il Z; daughter, Kelly Walker of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Kayla Walker, Benjamin Walker, Chase Opdycke, Haley Opdycke and Callista Walker; brother, Craig Walker and wife Donna of San Antonio, TX; sister, Sally Knipfer and husband Larry of Iowa City, IA; and many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lyle Walker. l of anyone. He was the kind of man that parents want their sons to grow up to be and the kind of man that parents want their daughters to marry. Jerry always had time for everyone, especially the little ones, and always enjoyed making them smile. Those of us left behind will miss him terribly. Survivors include his wife, Marci of Kearney; sons, Jerry F. Walker, Jr and wife Amy and Michael Walker and wife Heather, both of Phoenix, A

Jerry Walker

April 1, 1941 - May 28, 2010