DELAND, FL —Â Gary Wayne Walker, 72, Deland, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, after complications due to cancer. He was surrounded by the love of both his daughters.
Gary was born Nov. 13, 1946, in Watertown, NY, the oldest of five children, to Fred Walker and Laura (Salter) Walker.
He is survived by a daughter, Tamarah Blais; a daughter, Ivana Champion; grandsons, Taelan, Nolan, Ezra, Eli, Ethan and Judah; a granddaughter, Sophie; a great-grandson Bransen; a brother, Richard Walker, and companion Katrina Drelick of Carthage; a brother, Ronald Walker, and wife Lori of Three Mile Bay; and a sister, Nancy Patchen and husband Paul of Depauville.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Janet, mother, father and brother Robert A. Walker.
Gary spent his early years on the family farm where he discovered the enjoyment of working outdoors and the satisfaction of a good day’s work. He graduated from Lyme Central School, then earned an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering at JCC. He served honorably in the Navy from 1967 to 1972, a Vietnam Veteran. He then followed his father’s footsteps and became a machinist. He was employed at New York Air Brake until retirement in 2011.
Moving to Florida, he never lost his appreciation for being outdoors, and enjoyed kayaking, fishing, biking, traveling and running as well as participating in 5Ks as he aspired to become a marathoner and was on his way to achievement when he was diagnosed with cancer. He lived a full life. He was always described as kind and he was.
A funeral ceremony in memory of Gary will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, in Dexter Cemetery.
In the following days, his daughters hope you would remember him by doing that thing that you’ve always wanted to do. Instead of flowers we hope that you will do an unsolicited act of kindness for some unsuspecting stranger in his name.
Online condolences may be made at dexterfuneralhome.com.
