John J. "Jack" Walker

John Joseph (Jack) Walker, age 96, died while in hospice at the Kingswood Retirement Health Care Center on Friday, July 28, 2023. He was born in Moline, Kansas and after graduating with a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Oklahoma State University, he spent his career serving for the Soil Conservation Service, US Dept of Agriculture in Idaho and then was transferred to Columbia, Missouri where he was the Assistant State Conservationist for the State of Missouri. Jack met his backyard neighbor, Joyce, in the late 1970’s and after seven years of courtship, Jack and Joyce were married on February 19, 1983. Jack and Joyce made one final move to the Kansas City area, where Jack grew and harvested a variety of berries and vegetables on what was affectionately referred to as the “Walker Berry Farm” in Raymore, Missouri. In 2004, Jack and Joyce made the decision to join the Kingwood Senior Living Community where they have resided independently for the last nearly 20 years until Jack’s medical issues required him to be hospitalized over the course of the last couple of months.

Jack was a devoted Catholic and with a strong faith that was reflected in his daily life. He was a very active volunteer in many organizations outside of his community including, Lake Winnebago Lions Club, Missouri Watershed Association, Soil & Water Conservation Society, National Genealogical Society, Missouri State Genealogical Society and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He held multiple offices in these organizations. Jack was especially passionate about the grounds at Kingswood as he often gave us his time and sweat and with his expertise helped to beautify and landscape the grounds areas around Kingswood. He also created a new walking trail, which Kingswood residents fondly named “Walker’s Walk”. The bottom line, Jack LOVED to be outside all the time. In fact, Joyce is sure his wedding ring was lost several years ago while working on the grounds.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, a son, Michael and his wife, Joan, two grandsons, Christopher, Stephen and seven great-grandchildren. Nephews, Steven and Timm Walker and their families, Nieces, Sally, Paula Green and her family. He was step-father to Kerry (d. 1991), Denise Norman (Paul), Terry (d. 2001) and Stephen (Kelly) Johnson (Joyce’s children) and step-grandfather to nine additional grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Taylor (Jim), nephew Christopher and niece Katie, and countless other Walker family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brothers, Kenneth and George.

Services will be at Christ the King Church, 8510 Wornall Road in Kansas City on Thursday, August 3. The Visitation will begin at 9:00am and the Rosary will begin at 9:30am. The Funeral Mass is at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Christ the King Church, 8510 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114 or to the “Garden & Grounds Fund” at Kingswood Senior Living Community, 10000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114.

The interment of ashes will be in Moline, Kansas and be held at a later date in a private family ceremony.