Richard Harley Walker, 83, of Douglas, Wyoming, and Yuma, Arizona, passed from his Earthly life on November 18, 2022 in Modesto, California, after a brief illness.
Richard was born June 30, 1939, in Mitchell, South Dakota, firstborn of William Harley and Ferne (Horsley) Walker.
Richard grew up on farms northwest of Wessington Springs, SD, with a short time living in southern California due to his father’s illness. However, the family roots and many relatives were in South Dakota, prompting them to return.
Linn School was where he got his first eight years of education. He was a member of Western Rangers 4-H Club and attended Harmony Friends Church.
Richard was a natural mechanic, but learned some skills from his father who died when Richard was 13 years old. While in high school, Richard began working in a mechanic’s shop. He had an inborn ability for figuring out how cars and machinery work, why sometimes they don’t, and how to usually repair them. That launched a career which he kept up with for the next 40plus years.
After Richard graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1957, he continued working as a mechanic. His senior year he had met Vonda Lee Cook, a freshman, and never looked for another girl. They were married October 29, 1960, after she graduated from high school.
The couple lived a short time in Chamberlain, SD. They then lived in Madison, South Dakota, where they lived in a mobile home park near Lake Madison. Later they moved their mobile home to Wessington Springs for a few years. From there they moved to Longmont, Colorado, then to Douglas, Wyoming.
Richard and Vonda adopted two children, Robert while livinginColorado,andJennifer while living in Wyoming.
In 1999, Richard retired from mechanic work and split his time between Yuma, Arizona, and their home in Wyoming. During winters in Yuma he worked his dream job in a close friend’s computer store. His computer operation and repair skills were self-taught.
Richard’s relationship with God and his church affiliation was of great importance to him. He gave a lot of himself to assist with the sound system or wherever his skills were needed in church. Along with Vonda he spent time in fellowship with others and regularly read the Bible.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Vonda, parents Harley and Ferne, infant sister Verna Mae, sister Elaine Clark, and brothers Gordon and Brian, and brother-in-law Rich Clemetson. He is survived by his son Robert (Heather) Walker, his daughter Jennifer (Rick) Markham, grandsons Brian and Clay Walker, Nathan Markham, step-grandchildren Aliyah and Jayden Markham, one sister, Diane Clemetson, sister-in-law Vera (Cook) and husband Larry Smetak, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be heldatOurSaviour’sLutheran Church, Wessington Springs, SD, on May 21, 2023 at 2 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Hope Cemetery.
Reception to follow back at the church.
