Walter Price McFatridge Jr.

Walter P. McFatridge Jr. (96 yrs) passed away on Wednesday April 27, 2023 at Bloom Assisted Living in Kokomo, IN. He was born Oct. 31, 1926 to Walter and Martha (Wegar) McFatridge of Kokomo, IN. Walt attended Kokomo High School from 1940-1944 where he participated in many sports and clubs. His main love was playing basketball for the Wildcats. His senior year he and his teammates won their way to the 1944 State Finals where they came in runner ups, losing to Evansville Bosse. Walt won the one year only IHSAA Mental Attitude Award (Previously named the Gimbal Award and later became the Trestor Award). During their senior year the team was followed during the state tourney by author John Tunis who wrote a fiction book titled "Yea, Wildcats" that was based on the Wildcat team which has been referred to as the LSMFT Team (Leslie, Schwartz, McFatridge, Farrington and Turner). In the book Walt's character was portrayed by Walt MacDonald wearing jersey #4. After the season ended Walt and Tom Schwartz were both selected as part of the Indiana Basketball 1st Team All-State. After graduating high school Walt enlisted and served in the US Air Force from 1944-45. When the war ended Walt attended Purdue University and graduated with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. While at Purdue, Walt met the love of his life Eleanor "Puz" Pond from Corning, NY. After graduating they were married on Sept. 3rd, 1949. They had three children Ann, Dave and Doug. After graduating from Purdue, Walt went to work for Haynes Stellite in Kokomo, IN that later became Cabot Corporation. He worked in varied capacities throughout the company over the years. In 1975 he was transferred to Pampa, TX where he was appointed Purchasing Director for Cabot Corporation. Walt remained with the company until he retired. Once he retired Walt and Puz relocated to Hot Springs Village, AR in 1990 building a home on a lake and surrounded by golf courses. While living in Hot Springs Walt became interested in volunteering for Garland County Habitat for Humanity in 1998. Little did he realize just how much he would come to love building homes for families in need. For 16 years Walt spent four days a week on Habitat homes and worked with others to build over 100 homes in the Hot Springs area. He also served as chair of the construction committee and was involved with all phases of the projects. He won several Volunteer of the Year awards for his hard work, talents and dedication. In his home woodworking shop Walt made storage cabinets for each of the Habitat homes he helped to build. Throughout his life Walt loved to golf, travel, research family genealogies and was a huge Purdue Boilermaker fan. His love for building and creating led to numerous handcrafted projects such as bookcases, tables and cabinets he would make for his own home, the home of his children and grandchildren and his church. In the early years Walt and his family did a lot of traveling with their trailer along with other camping families to many State Parks across the U.S. As much as he enjoyed all of these activities, his greatest joy was spending time with his family. Walt was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Kokomo, In), St. Mathew's Episcopal Church (Pampa, TX) and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Hot Springs Village, AR). He is survived by son David and Linda (Barkhaus) McFatridge, Kokomo, IN., Doug and Sheila (Broadway) McFatridge, Pampa TX. A granddaughter Jessica (McFatridge) and Jon Hollingsworth, Russiaville, IN. A grandson Andrew and Nicole (Harland) McFatridge, Noblesville, IN. Four great-grandchildren, Hadley, Harper, Henry and Tate. And a brother Jim McFatridge, Kokomo, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eleanor and daughter Ann McFatridge. The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the wonderful staff at Bloom Assisted Living. Their compassionate hearts, loving care and special attention made Walt's stay there enjoyable and pleasant. In lieu of flowers memorial donation in Walt's name can be made to Garland County Habitat for Humanity www.garlandcountyhabitat.org/donate A celebration of life service will be held Monday May 8, 2023 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. 602 W. Superior, Kokomo, IN. Visitation will be from 12-1 in Fellowship Hall with the funeral service to follow in the sanctuary.