Ramsay Ralph Walker

Ramsay Ralph Walker (72), formerly of Tyler, Texas, passed away peacefully Friday, May 17, 2019, surrounded by loving family members. Ramsay was born August 5, 1946, in Raymond, Alberta, to Ralph Harris Walker and Ruth (Kitchen) Walker and was the second oldest of 7 children. Ramsay enjoyed growing up in small town Alberta, where he and his brothers and sisters had many adventures together.

In the summer of 1956, Ramsay moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he attended Killarney Elementary School and Queen Elizabeth Junior and Senior High School. Upon graduation, having always had a great interest in the beauty and creation of buildings, Ramsay was awarded the McConnell Architecture Scholarship for McGill University and transitioned from Grade 12 straight to second year of architecture studies. At the age of 19, he put his studies on hold and embarked on a 2.5 year mission to Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he developed a great love of service, as well as the Japanese culture. Upon his return to Canada, Ramsay went on to study architecture at McGill University for one additional year before switching both his major and his alma mater, completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies at the University of Calgary. In his professional life as an Urban Planner, Ramsay was able to combine his love of building with his love of travel and was involved in projects throughout Canada and the United States, as well as overseas. After living in Calgary for a large portion of his life, Ramsay relocated to the United States, initially settling in Washington, D.C., and then Gaithersburg, Maryland, as he finished out his career working for the Mills Corporation. As a result of both the mission he served in Japan, and his extensive work travel, Ramsay developed a passion for languages and became fluent in Japanese, French and German, and even spoke a sprinkling of Spanish and Thai. His linguistic flair proved to be an asset for him both personally and professionally.

In his spare time, when not busy building or working, Ramsay enjoyed making the most of the great outdoors. He had a life-long passion for hiking in the Rocky Mountains that developed into a wanderlust, resulting in his completion of two treks through Nepal, most recently hiking to the base camp of K2 in October of last year. Ramsay also enjoyed a variety of sports throughout his life and in recent years developed a passion for tennis, which culminated in competing at the national level with his Senior Mens’ Team.

Upon his retirement, Ramsay’s life-long enjoyment of creating, building, and working with his hands transitioned from a hobby to a nearly full-time passion and calling. For the last 15 years of his life, with a home base in Tyler, Texas, Ramsay worked side by side with his equally dedicated wife, “Boots”, building homes across the globe for both Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing. More information on his substantial humanitarian building efforts can be found at fullercenter.org.

Of all of Ramsay’s accomplishments in his life, his family meant the most to him. Ramsay was married to his first wife, Iris (Williams) Talbot, from 1969 to 1993, and together they had 8 children and 17 grandchildren: Tavi (Walker) and Derrick Nicholson (Jack), Fera (Walker) and Jason Butts (Kylee and Kimberlee), Joni (Walker) and Jeff Nemeth (Thomas, Madeleine, Samantha), Rennick and Allison (Brayford) Walker (Marguerite, Alexander, Garrick), Sara (Walker) and Scott Melanson (Andrea, Jaron), Lori (Walker) and Fred Krause (Breanna, Grace, Addyson), James and Jennie (Franceschi) Walker (Andon), and Scott and Sandra (Larin) Walker (Sadie, Samuel). Ramsay was married to his second wife, Helga Rempel, from 1995 to 1996. She predeceased him when she passed away from cancer on October 5, 1996. Ramsay married Bootsaba “Boots” Walker on November 3, 2001, after meeting on a build for Habitat for Humanity in Belfast, Ireland, and gained two sons, Victor Chataboon and Justin Shaffer. Together, Ramsay and Boots found joy working as a team to fulfill their dream of improving the lives of others through service.

Ramsay was predeceased by his father, Ralph Harris Walker, stepmother, Michele (Grignon) Walker, mother Ruth (Kitchen) Walker, and his sister, Lee (Walker) Harder (Jake). He is survived by 5 of his siblings: Roger (Elin), Reagan (Kim), Ros-Lynn Osaka (Clifford – deceased), Barry (Julie) and Tim (Jim). He is also survived and lovingly remembered by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins, in addition to his wife, siblings, children and grandchildren, and numerous friends around the globe.

We know Ramsay’s smile and friendly spirit touched the hearts of many throughout his life. If you would like to join us in remembering him, Celebration of Life events will be held on the following dates:

Tyler, Texas: tentative date: June 15th. Full details to follow.

Raymond, Alberta: Sunday, June 30th, 5:00-7:00 pm. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Knight Street Building: 260 East 200 North, Raymond, AB T0K2S0).

Calgary, Alberta: Friday, July 5th, 6:30-8:30 pm. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

(Crescent Road Chapel: 202 Crescent Road N.W.)