Donald A Walker

Faith – Family - Music

Don was born at his parent’s farmhouse in rural Russell, Minnesota on Friday the 13th, May 13, 1927 (His final 95th birthday was also on Friday the 13th.) His Grandmother Edith Walker, a midwife, delivered him. He was the first child of Carlton and Florence Walker who added another three children to the family: Edith, Dierdre and Guy. Don grew up farming, participating in 4-H club, and started piano lessons at the age of 8.

During high school, he played for church services at the Presbyterian Church. He also played for his grandmother’s funeral who had paid the 25 cents for each of Don’s piano lessons. WWII occurred while Don was a senior in high school. The Russell High School music teacher was drafted into the war, so Don took over directing the music program of his peers. As soon as Don turned 18, one month prior to graduation, the US Navy immediately drafted him which did not allow him to finish his senior year nor attend his graduation. In 1946, his final Naval assignment as a Hospital Corps Apprentice First Class was on Oahu, Hawaii as the war ended.

Don started college as a pharmacy major, but his heart was set on being a music major. After pleading his case to his parents, he was able to switch majors to music. Don headed to St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN where he received his BA degree in Music Education. Don focused on studying piano and organ along with choral music. The St. Olaf College choir has a long tradition of ending their concerts with the song, “Beautiful Savior” which will be one of the finale songs at Don’s funeral service.

His career started as a high school music teacher in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. During the second-year teaching at the high school, Don met a new teacher Elaine Johnson and she definitely caught his interest. They started dating and married in August 1953. A year later, their first child, Linda was born.

They moved to Des Moines, Iowa for several years then they moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where their two sons Kevin and Doug were born. Elaine cared for the three children several summers while Don obtained his master’s degree in music at Drake University. Starting at that point and continuing through the remainder of Don’s career he always had three jobs, he taught music at the high school or college level, directed community concert chorales and was church organist and choir director. And when he got home late at night after a rehearsal, he worked on writing music arrangements. During his ten years at Fort Dodge, he was known throughout the state for directing Broadway musicals like Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King and I, Music Man, My Fair Lady, Camelot, etc. The last two years while teaching there, he was recognized as the “Teacher of the Year” and was given a grant to work on his Doctorate in Music at USC.

It was during those summer trips to Los Angeles that Don and family fell in love with Southern California and ended up moving there the summer of 1966. Don became the Choral Director of a brand-new high school in Fountain Valley, CA and established their first choirs and performance group called the Troubadours. He also went on to direct a professional singing group who performed at such places as Knott’s Berry Farm, The Disneyland Hotel, conventions and at a Hollywood movie premiere at the Pantages Theater.

In 1980, Don accepted the position of Head of Choral Music at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. He was director of the school choir, Chamber Singers and taught music composition and music appreciation. At the same time, Don was the Director of the 100-voice Saddleback Concert Chorale and Orchestra. He was appointed judge for the “Frank Sinatra Awards” choral competition at UCLA for many years. Don also worked closely with Jester Harriston, an international known composer, conductor and Hollywood TV and movie actor. When the City of Los Angeles wanted to honor Jester Harriston for his lifetime achievements in music and acting, Jester agreed if they would feature the Don Walker Singers performing Jester’s songs during the event at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Don retired from Saddleback College after 22 years in 1992. He also retired from his church choir directing and organist work and community concert chorale. However, music continued to play a part of his life in some fashion for years to come. From the age of 82 to 84, Don’s family convinced him to record several music albums of him playing his favorite songs on piano. Don wrote the arrangements for the vast majority of the songs that were recorded. His first was “Favorite Hymns”, the second was “Broadway Favorites and the third was a “The Celebration of Christmas” album which were produced and directed by his daughter Linda and his grandson, Evan who was the recording engineer and sound director. His final album, Piano Reflections” dedicated to his family, included songs from Broadway shows, church hymns and patriotic songs. He told his family that he also recorded Happy Birthday so that after he was gone, they would be able to hear him play the song on their respective birthdays.

After both Don and Elaine retired, they moved to Mission Viejo and were able to travel all over the world on cruises and vacations that brought them great joy. One of their favorite places to relax and listen to soothing tropical music was their many trips to the Hawaiian Islands.

On Don’s 90th birthday, many family, friends and former students came to join in the celebration. Former students who sang in Don’s choirs 65, 50, 40 and 35 years ago shared their consistent stories of his passion, musicianship and leadership that was demonstrated over the decades and how he had made a difference in their lives. At that celebration, the Fountain Valley High School Troubadours performed a concert celebrating Don and the fact that he had started their music program and their musical performance group 50 years prior.

At Don’s 94th birthday, it was a patriotic celebration which included a San Diego Naval officer pinning Don in honor of his WWII military service and a vocalist beautifully sang four patriotic songs a‘Capella.

Don’s family also kept him very busy over the years attending many baseball, softball and volleyball games, dance recitals and birthday celebrations. There is one event that all of the family attends each year which is Christmas Eve. It has been a 68-year family tradition for the Walker family to always celebrate Christmas Eve together and have Don play Christmas carols on the piano.

Over the years, Don was described as an elegant man, passionate, caring, humorous, had high expectations for himself and others, loving, sought after for his sound guidance, rose and gardening expertise, and family man.

Don considered himself to be a very fortunate and blessed person as a result of his strong devotion to his faith, his loving family and friends and his long and successful career in music.

Heaven awaits you Don, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Teacher, Conductor, Friend. We will greatly miss our special “Music Man”.

Don is survived by Elaine, his wife of 68 years, children Linda, Kevin, Doug and their spouses, Kris, Tina and Julie: grandchildren, Evan, Cory, Brett, Karen, Jenifer, Kaylin and Eric; sister Dierdre, nieces and nephews and one great grandson on the way.