Celebrating the life of
James Stephen Walker
March 08, 1943 - June 02, 2017
James Stephen (Steve) Walker, born 1943, died 2017
Steve Walker was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 8, 1943 to James Allen (J.A.) and Marjorie Kathleen Stephens Walker. He grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma with his parents and two older sisters, Jane Allen and Kathleen. As a child Steve enjoyed searching for mischief with long-time friend Wendell Smith and rebuilding Ford Model-Ts from scratch with his dad. He played the trombone, was a member of the student council and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1961. In Steve’s yearbook, one of his friends wrote, “Good luck to a real fine mechanical drawing student” foreshadowing his long career in mechanical engineering.
The following year, Steve attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he met his future wife, Patsy Kay Caldwell. He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree from OSU and the couple married that same year on May 28. After teaching mathematics for a short time while Pat continued her studies, the couple moved to Wichita, Kansas where Steve secured a job at Boeing working on airplanes, Pat transferred to Wichita State.
In 1972, Steve’s first daughter, Stephanie was born. After layoffs at Boeing the following year, the Walker family moved to Dubuque, Iowa toting along their Model-T and German Shepard Mic. Steve began his career as a quality engineer at John Deere and Pat taught reading and writing at Northeast Iowa Community College. Their second daughter, Jennifer was born in 1974.
At John Deere Dubuque Works, Steve’s 34-year career encompassed working on many different models of construction-oriented tractors including backhoes, crawlers and skidsteers. His job took him across the country and around the globe solving engineering problems and ensuring the quality of the parts and mechanics of the tractors.
In addition to his passion for engines and mechanics, Steve enjoyed outdoor activities including playing tennis with his wife, snowmobiling and maintaining trails as a member of the Dubuque Snowhawks, and skiing near their home at Sundown Mountain and on family ski trips. At the age of 48 Steve took up skydiving with the Tri-state skydivers and in 2008 he completed his goal of jumping in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. He also skydived in countries including France, Germany and Australia. Traveling and Jeep off-roading were other activities Steve enjoyed with his wife and family. He modified a 2000 Jeep Sahara to climb and maneuver some of the toughest Jeep Jamboree trails around the country.
Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010, the same year Pat developed brain cancer. After Pat succumbed to her cancer in 2011, Steve remained in Dubuque surrounded by loving friends and neighbors. He continued Jeep off-roading, snowmobiling and going out to eat and to concerts with longtime family friend Ellie Fliehler.
In 2014, Steve moved to Savannah, Georgia to be closer to his daughters, son-in-law and three grandsons. In 2015 he and Ellie married at Orleans Square in downtown Savannah. Due to his illness he discontinued Jeep off-roading and skydiving but continued to travel, go to Pink Martini concerts and took up flying model helicopters and drones with his grandsons. Quiet time was spent listening to jazz, reading Autoweek and watching movies and NASCAR races. Steve died on June 2, 2017, at the age of 74, due to complications of Multiple System Atrophy (a rare form of Parkinson’s disease) at Savannah Square retirement community.
James Stephen Walker is survived by his sister Jane Allen Wert, daughters, Stephanie Heather Walker and Jennifer Haley (Michael) McCarn, his three grandsons, Walker Michael McCarn, James Caldwell McCarn and Anderson James Walker and longtime friends Ellie Fliehler and Gina (Justin) Whitty.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Dubuque in September and will be announced via email and social media.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the MSA Coalition at multiplesystematrophy.org.
Memories of Steve may be sent to Jennifer McCarn, 506 E. 60th St., Savannah, GA, 31405 or jwmccarn@mac.com.
Great people, very sad and to soon to pass, I have made many skydives with Steve, He was a great person and friend.
- Steve & Roseanne Rath, Iowa City , Iowa,
Pat, Steve et Jennifer sont venus en France pour le mariage de Sarita et Olivier, notre fils, il y a un peu plus de 10 ans. Nous avons fait leur connaissance et gardons un très bon souvenir de cette visite. Sarita est devenue notre belle-fille, et nous la considérons comme notre fille. C'est ce que Pat et Steve ont fait et qui a compté beaucoup pour elle. Nous présentons nos plus sincères condoléances à Jennifer et à toute la famille de nos amis américains Pat et Steve. Nous pensons à vous et vous adressons nos amitiés. Hélène et Jean-Pierre LECLERC, Montaigu, France
- LECLERC Hélène et Jean-Pierre, Montaigu FRANCE,
Stephanie and Jennifer We can't tell you how sorry we are about your Dad's passing. Both of your parents were very special friends. Thank you for bringing your Dad to see us when you were in Dubuque. Please do let us know when you have the service here. Joyce and Bill
- Joyce and Bill Brittain, Dubuque , IA
I am sorry to learn about Steve's passing. I met Steve early in my John Deere career in Dubuque as a quality engineer. We had some good discussions and great trips to suppliers. He will be missed. Thinking about all of you in this time.
- DeWayne Hatcher, LeClaire, IA
We were saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Our deepest sympathy to all his beloved family. Bob and Myra Benzer
- Bob and Myra Benzer, Dubuque, Iowa
I am so sorry to hear this news. I remember Patsy and Steve from my time at NICC and keep in touch with Ellie, who cares so deeply for all of you. My thoughts are with all of you. Blessings to all of you.
- Karen Ploessl, Bellevue, Ia
Great people, very sad and to soon to pass, I have made many skydives with Steve, He was a great person and friend.
- Steve & Roseanne Rath, Iowa City , Iowa,
Pat, Steve et Jennifer sont venus en France pour le mariage de Sarita et Olivier, notre fils, il y a un peu plus de 10 ans. Nous avons fait leur connaissance et gardons un très bon souvenir de cette visite. Sarita est devenue notre belle-fille, et nous la considérons comme notre fille. C'est ce que Pat et Steve ont fait et qui a compté beaucoup pour elle. Nous présentons nos plus sincères condoléances à Jennifer et à toute la famille de nos amis américains Pat et Steve. Nous pensons à vous et vous adressons nos amitiés. Hélène et Jean-Pierre LECLERC, Montaigu, France
- LECLERC Hélène et Jean-Pierre, Montaigu FRANCE,
Stephanie and Jennifer We can't tell you how sorry we are about your Dad's passing. Both of your parents were very special friends. Thank you for bringing your Dad to see us when you were in Dubuque. Please do let us know when you have the service here. Joyce and Bill
- Joyce and Bill Brittain, Dubuque , IA
I am sorry to learn about Steve's passing. I met Steve early in my John Deere career in Dubuque as a quality engineer. We had some good discussions and great trips to suppliers. He will be missed. Thinking about all of you in this time.
- DeWayne Hatcher, LeClaire, IA
We were saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Our deepest sympathy to all his beloved family. Bob and Myra Benzer
- Bob and Myra Benzer, Dubuque, Iowa
I am so sorry to hear this news. I remember Patsy and Steve from my time at NICC and keep in touch with Ellie, who cares so deeply for all of you. My thoughts are with all of you. Blessings to all of you.
- Karen Ploessl, Bellevue, Ia
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
