Dale L Walker

Dale Lamont Walker July 13, 1960-August 14, 2020 Dale Lamont Walker of South Beach (Newport), Oregon, passed away from heart-related complications on August 14, 2020, at the age of 60. Dale was born July 13, 1960, in Gold Beach, Oregon to James Rockwell Walker and Sharon Lee McCully-Walker; He loved all sports, learning the rudiments of football, basketball and baseball at an early age. He attended schools in Salem, Stayton and Springfield before returning to his birthplace on the Southern Oregon Coast with his brother Jim when his father inherited the 200-acre family ranch in Pistol River in 1974. The first summer on the ranch, Dale helped his father build a new corral on the east side of the river as the family livestock included 100 head of sheep and 40 head of Black Angus cattle. At Gold Beach High School, his parents' alma mater, Dale played football, basketball and baseball, excelling in the latter as he earned the starting shortstop position his freshman year. In his rookie season, he hit .37 5 and was an outstanding fielder and backup pitcher. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Dale helped lead the Panthers to the state playoffs where they lost both years to South Umpqua. During his junior season, his brother Jim was at second base as a sophomore while Dale manned the short stop position and recorded a number of wins as a pitcher, including beating a much larger school, Marshfield. His parents separated in 1975, and Dale and his brother stayed on the ranch, helping their father run the ranch as well as attend school in Gold Beach. After high school- Dale was a member of the Class of 1978-he joined the US Army as an airborne infantry specialist, rising to staff sergeant after serving at Fort Knox and Ft. Lewis as well as at several other bases before assignments in Hawaii, the Philippines and South Korea where he continued his training. Soon after his discharge from the service, Dale started a security company in Idaho and later a landscaping business. Moving closer to his family in Western Oregon, he landed a position at Harry & David of Medford, later serving as production manager. Later, he took a position at Freeman Marine in Gold Beach where he worked for over a decade, finally as a purchaser for the nautical products manufacturing company. His final position was as a purchaser at Eugene's Johnson Crushers International. During his time in Medford and Gold Beach, he assisted his father and brother in their racing efforts, along with his wife Donna, whom he later divorced. During his lifetime, Dale also enjoyed fishing. In 2010, while living in Idaho, Dale suffered a serious heart attack. 'Several of his doctors said his heart was so weak he might not live long, but Dale battled against the damaged heart, Diabetes II and sleep apnea to live ten additional years, finally moving to Oregon's central coast to live at South Beach and enjoy the cooler weather. Dale's loves, in addition to his family and friends, were his chocolate lab, Deesa, now living with his father and wife Peggy in Newport, Formula 1 and Indy Car racing and anything connected with his beloved Oregon Ducks and Blazers' basketball. Dale was cremated at Bateman Funeral Home of Newport, and his wishes were to have his ashes spread at Deep Creek on the Pistol River where he used to fish and kayak. Dale is survived by his father, Jim and wife Peggy, mother Sharon Walker Baugh, his brother Jim, Oregon State Fire Marshall, and wife Kathi Walker, of Salem, step-brothers Rob Johnson (Becca) of Caledon, Ontario, Canada and Chris Johnson (Emily) of Medford. He is also survived by niece Alex Walker Logue (Keith) of West Linn, nephew Greyson Walker, Salem, and grandnephew Liam James Logue. His sister Alicia Lee Walker preceded him in death as well as his stepmother Molly and his grandparents, Alice and Jay Walker and Helen and Buzz McCully. Special thanks to the staff at Bateman's for their care and concern, helping with all the details of Dale's cremation and final disposition. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at one of Dale's favorite pubs, the Crow's Nest, in Gold Beach, which is managed by his friend Derrick. We will let his friends know via Facebook when a date has been set. Rest in Peace, Dale. You fought the good fight over the last ten years, and you will be missed by your family and many friends.

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Dale L Walker

July 13, 1960 - August 14, 2020