John R. "Jack" Walker December 16, 1938 - November 8, 2012

John R. "Jack" Walker passed away at his home in Camp Sherman on November 8 at the age of 73.

Jack was born in The Dalles, Oregon to Clark Wilston Walker and Francis Lucille Gilbertson on December 16, 1938.

At the age of 6 his family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where he graduated from Corvallis High School in 1957. He then began work with the Corvallis Fire Department. Jack always remembered the Columbus Day Storm as he was on duty as the dispatcher during the storm.

Jack remained with the Fire Department as a volunteer when he entered Oregon State University in 1962, rising to the rank of Captain, before leaving to move to Camp Sherman in 1994.

Jack received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Oregon State University and went on to teach in elementary education in the Corvallis School District. Jack also held the position of elementary school counselor for 17 years before his retirement in 1994. In the 1970s he took a two-year sabbatical to teach at the Black Butte School in Camp Sherman, where he started a ski program for the students, which still goes on to this day.

Jack loved skiing. At the age of 15 he joined the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol. He was an active patroller until 1998, and was a lifetime member of the National Ski Patrol. Jack was a teacher at heart and taught many a first aid, sled handling, avalanche and mountain rescue course. Through the years he served in many administrative positions from Regional Director to Assistant Division Director, last serving as Instructional Development Advisor to the Pacific Northwest Division. Many summer vacations were spent traveling to National Ski Patrol Conventions held throughout the United States and Europe, then spending the rest of the summer visiting in that locale.

Upon his retirement from the Corvallis School District, Jack moved to Camp Sherman where he and his wife had built a cabin in 1967. Retirement was spent skiing, traveling, taking up the hobby of photography and giving his time to his church.

Jack is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda, and two sisters, Carol Beth Miller of Lebanon, and Kathleen Jane Walker of Salem.

Memorial services are planned for April 27 at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration for the Labyrinth Project, or to the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol.