David Lee Walker

David Lee Walker, 91, Centennial, CO passed away Sunday, November 17, 2013. He was born to Cecil and May Walker on September 27, 1922 in Ryan, OK. November of that year, his family moved to Boston Pool Community, OK where his father purchased a grocery store which burned down December 22, 1922. The family and store temporarily moved into a dance hall for shelter. In July 1925, the family moved to Cleveland, OK and opened the Cleveland Milling Company and Walker Feed Store which affiliated with the Purina Company in 1926. David was a star athlete in football and track at Cleveland High School. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1940 where he received many academic awards. David enrolled in the University of Oklahoma in 1940 where he majored in business and entered into ROTC training and eventually the officer candidate school program (Army). He entered the Army in August 5, 1944. David was a field artillery unit commander and reconnaissance officer. His decorations and citations include an Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theater Service Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. In 1943, David met Bettie Jane Hatcher on a blind date in Stillwater, OK where she was a student at Oklahoma State University. For David, it was "love at first sight" for Bettie was an NCAA Beauty Queen and an outstanding academic scholar. David was honorably discharged from the Army May 18, 1946. He was brought home from service due to his mother being gravely ill. She died August 2, 1946 with David by her side. By the age of 24, he had served a tour of duty and buried his mother. After serving his country, David returned to the University of Oklahoma to complete his bachelors degree and propose marriage to Bettie. They were married in Wichita, KS on February 9, 1947. The happy couple honeymooned at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver and The Broadmore Hotel in Colorado Springs. David's career started in the Oil and Gas Industry with a position at Shell which took him and Bettie to New Orleans and Centralia, IL. Their daughter, Louise, was born in Centralia, IL on November 13, 1947. As the cold war conflicts emerged in the early 1950's, David was called back to duty serving another 2 years in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from Korea, David secured a position whith Humble Oil Company (which later became Exxon). He spent the rest of his career with Exxon until retiring in 1985. During his time with Exxon, the family relocated from Tulsa, OK, where their son Brad was born July 21, 1955, to Salt Lake City, UT, Sterling, CO, and, in 1957, finally settling in Durango, CO. The family enjoyed 10 years of living in southwest Colorado. A promotion sent David and his family to Denver, CO in 1967. Their home in Littleton (Centennial) was a venue for many gatherings of family and friends. He lived there until his death. On February 9, 1997, David and Bettie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Brown Palace Hotel. It was a grand occasion celebrated on the exact calendar date of their wedding in 1947. Bettie passed away December 28, 2002. David remained very active with interest in his 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, golf, poker, and church. He played at least 2 rounds of golf within the last two weeks of his passing. He was still in pursuit of that elusive "Hole in One". David was a proud yet modest man. He loved his Lord, his country, his family and his friends. He was a gentleman and he lived an exceptional life. David is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Whitehurst Walker and May Ollie Adams; step-mother, Sue Gaddy Walker; wife, Bettie Jane Walker (Hatcher); brothers, Kent Whitehurst Walker and Archie Adams Walker. He is survived by his son, Brad Adams Walker of Denver, CO; daughter, Louise Walker Wehler of Denver, CO; granddaughters, Lindsey Ellen Wehler (Dylan) Cantrell of Lone Tree, CO and Amanda Jane Walker of Denver, CO; grandsons, Justin Robert (Alicia) Wehler of Broomfield, CO, Richard Adams Walker of Denver, CO, and David Reed Walker of Denver, CO; great grandchildren, Ally and Brayden Cantrell; nieces, Barbara May Walker (Jerry) Abbott of Cleveland, OK and Cecilie Sue Walker (Dan) Henning of Cleveland, OK; nephews, Ronald Kent (Janie) Walker of Edmond, OK, Bruce Wellman (Joyce) Walker of Austin, TX, and Scott Adams (Kristina) Walker of Lawrence, KS; and sister-in-law, Katie Walker (Gary) Stephens of Bartlesville, OK. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 Pm Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Drinkwine Family Mortuary. A reception will follow at the Cottonwood Grove Recreation Center, 12080 Eastlake Circle, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David Lee Walker Memorial Fund at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203. David was laid to rest at Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, OK.