Stephen Paul Walker

Born October 17, 1948 in Amarillo, Texas to Scotty Gean Walker and Anita M. Hinson. He passed on to the next Life on May 12, 2012.
Passing on before is his father and son, Chance Walker, age 25.
He is survived by his mother Anita Hinson of Roseburg; daughter Stephanie Walker and Stephen's grandson Colton Langhorn of Roseburg; daughter Stacey Walker and partner Stuart Wagner and granddaughters Alyssa and Madison Walker of Roseburg; sister Scotty Ann Vaughn, niece Phyllis Crager and nephew Jerry Braverman; sister Debbie Stone and husband Kevin and family; sister Kathy Foster and husband Ed; and brother Monty Walker. Also surviving him is his goddaughter Amy Tomlinson.
He was raised in various locations in Southern California and was part of the Long Beach surf culture. He was chased and nearly caught by a shark while surfing in Morrow Bay. He graduated from Whittier Union High School in 1966. Then, he joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and went to Vietnam, where he served five tours. He was also stationed in Africa. He demonstrated great proficiency is several military occupational specialties such as infantry and forward air controller for artillery, air, and naval gunfire. He graduated with honors from Aviation Mechanics School and was crew chief for both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. He was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for bravery under fire. He attained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He was a Marine Recruiter in Roseburg. Later he joined the Seabees and served as Navy Recruiter in Eugene.
After the Service he worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Bureau of Land Management where he won several awards for distinctive service. In 1987 he won a National Award from the BLM for an idea he developed to clean up the Umpqua River. Other agencies joined in the project and this has subsequently become an annual event.
Stephen began a career in construction under his mentor Greg Jenkins and became lifelong friends with Greg and Marilyn and family.
He was a very talented carpenter and contractor and through these skills he found much joy in helping others. He was an unselfish man and he handled pain in life as a stoic. He loved to fish with Ron, hunt with Ken, and garage sale with Morris. He had high regard for his construction partner and friend, Russ.
A brief graveside ceremony will occur at 11 a.m. on May 25, 2012 at the V.A. Cemetery off Harvard Ave. Immediately following will be a potluck memorial gathering at River Forks Park. Come and laugh and reminisce as he would want all of us to do.
Semper Fi.