Jan. 6, 1928-Oct. 14, 2006
John Alpha “Al” Walker, 78, of Baker City died on Oct. 14, 2006 at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
He was born on Jan. 6, 1928 in San Jose, Calif., to Loyal Goodlow and Esther Barrette Walker.
The family later moved to Sweet Home where he attended school until he started logging at the age of 15. He continued logging until he joined the military and went to Korea in 1955. He served until 1957.
He returned home and followed his brother, Dave, to Happy Camp, Calif. There he met and married his wife. They had been married for 47 years when she died on Sept. 17, 2003.
During their time at Happy Camp, they had three daughters, Carri, Sheryl and Teresa.
Mr. Walker was featured in NW Logging World for his outstanding achievements in logging.
He moved his family to Lincoln City and later to Molalla and finally to Baker City. They loved it so much they decided to stay.
He enjoyed everything that had to do with the outdoors. He loved to watch his grandchildren play ball, and he spent many years coaching as well as playing softball.
He is survived by his daughters, Carri Noble and her husband, Todd, of Baker City, Sheryl Payton and her husband, Vince, of Baker City and Teresa Walker and her friend, Bram Novak, of Baker City; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Walker of Sweet Home and Caroline Putney and her husband, Russell, of Bend; brother, David Walker and his wife, Tish, of Sweet Home; and numerous nieces and nephews.