Joseph John Walter

Joseph John Walter, 99, born in North Dakota on April 2, 1915, died December 20, 2014. His was a life well-lived. “Joe” Walter, son of Veronica Fritz Walter Woods and John Walter, loving husband of Ruth Morrison Walter for 46 years, and loving husband of Edith Mattos Lewis Walter for 30 years, passed away peacefully after a decade-long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

He is survived by his two sons, Robert Walter and Barry Walter, as well as six grandchildren - Genene Waterman Vaccaro, Aaron Walter, Andrea Walter, Allison Walter Parson, Shaina Walter Bowie, and Cara Walter – and ten great-grandchildren. Joe is also survived by three step-daughters, Carolyn Lewis, Margaret Lewis Rodrigues, and Judy Lewis Barnhart, as well as four step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

Joe Walter graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota in 1941, and spent most of his career working as the Controller of Mayfair Packing Company (1956-1985, when he retired). He served in the Navy during WWII from 1943-1945, and then made his home in the Willow Glen area of San Jose in 1947 with Ruth and his growing family. His first child, Patti-Jo (“PJ”) Walter Moeller, passed away in 1988.

Joe loved baseball, spending time with family, and volunteering in his community. He was a founder of the Lincoln Glen Little League, and dedicated 33+ years to coaching and helping the neighborhood youth with lessons in baseball, and even greater lessons in life. In 2004, Joe was delighted by being honored with the LGLL farm field being named “Joe Walter Field,” as well as receiving the Wes Houseweart Volunteer of the Year award, and a Mayoral Commendation from the City of San Jose in recognition of his outstanding dedication to generations of children and families of the Willow Glen community. While the LGLL was his passion, he was also actively involved with many other organizations, including the Optimist Club, Elks, WG Kiwanis, the SJ Historical Museum Association, YMI, South Bay Jazz Society, St. Christopher’s Over 50’s @ St. Christopher’s Church, SIRS, California Pioneers, Over 50’s League Softball Club, and the American Legion. Joe is well-known for his exemplary kindness and generosity, and will be remembered by all as an extraordinary gentleman who influenced each person he met during the last century in a positive and profound way.

A memorial service will take place at St. Christopher’s Church, 1576 Curtner Ave., SJ, on Saturday January 3, 2015, at 10am. A luncheon will follow immediately nearby in downtown San Jose.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

with the number of lunch guests, and/or any memories you would like to share. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Joe would have appreciated donations to the Lincoln Glen Little League in his memory. Donations can be made online at http://lincolnglenbaseball.com/donations/ , or by check payable to LGLL and mailed to: In Memory of Joe Walter, c/o Lincoln Glen Little League, 19A N. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos, Ca 95030 The fund will be used to benefit current and future generations of players and their families at “Joe Walter Field.”