John Patrick Walker died on Sunday, January 31, 2021, after a brief illness. He was 68. John was a gracious man with a wry wit, an environmentalist who was passionate about social justice. A spiritual man who always stood up for what was right, he was committed to building a more compassionate world. He served as the mayor of China and later founded a food pantry known as the Hardin Jefferson Hunger Initiative, to provide for his underserved community. A true Renaissance man, John was a poet, author, artist, craftsman, singer, songwriter, and musician who loved playing locally. He was a dedicated husband, father, son, and brother-in-law. John met Joy Adams (née Geisendorff), the love of his life, in 1997 and they were married three months later. Their partnership and soulful connection lasted 22 years. Together they raised a beautiful blended family that included John’s four children and Joy’s two. John was predeceased by his parents Donis and Robert Bennett and brother Roy Walker in California. He is survived by Joy Walker, his children Megan Kennel (Tim), Elisabeth Wing (Chris), Cody Walker (Anna), Lacy Walker, Emily Adams (Jesse Taylor), Thomas Adams, and four grandchildren, with another on the way. John was an attentive son-in-law and Jo Geisendorff cherished him, as did the whole Geisendorff family. There will be a Celebration of Life when it is warmer and pandemic restrictions are eased. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Hardin Jefferson Hunger Initiative in his honor.
We will love him forever, our Renaissance Man.
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