John Robert Walker

John R. Walker Obituary by Brian Myers (grandson) John Robert Walker, 99, passed away peacefully on
Sunday, July 18, 2021, surrounded by family, at his home in Crofton, Maryland. He was the last of his
immediate family and perhaps the longest lived member of the Walker family to date.

John was born on Jan. 31, 1922, in The Bronx, NY, to the late Frank Buckley Walker and Laura Margaret
(Boyne) Walker. He spent most of his childhood in Little Neck, NY, with his two younger sisters, the late
Joan Cavallo and Jean Greer.

John graduated from Georgetown University in January 1943, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
The following month, he was called into the military and served until March 1946. He served in World
War II in France, Germany and Austria with the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division as a Sgt in Co. G222
Regiment. His Combat Infantry Badge, his Bronze Star, and his participation in the liberation of the
infamous Dachau Concentration Camp mark a humble portion of his legacy as a hero abroad. At the
age of 98, John was also recognized with the prestigious French Legion of Honor award for his service.
John was recalled to active duty as a 1st LT in the Korean War from June 1951 until November 1952, and
was stationed as an instructor at the Fort Holabird Counter Intelligence Corps School in Baltimore,
Maryland. He remained in the US Army Reserve from September 1948 until March 1975 and retired as a
Lieutenant Colonel.

After World War II, John continued his education at Columbia University, where he would receive his
master’s degree in Economics in 1948. He became an instructor in Banking and Finance at Fordham
University’s School of Business from 1948 to 1951.

While at Columbia, John met his future wife, Grace Holder, who was a student at the University. For
their first date, they attended a showing of the animated film, Alice in Wonderland, together. They were
married in September 1953 and moved to Maryland where he was an instructor at the Counter
Intelligence Corps School at Fort Holabird from 1953 until 1962. He then worked as a Security Officer at
NSA from 1962 until his retirement in 1980.

While raising his and Grace’s five children, John gave much of his time as a volunteer. He became Vice
President and then President of the Glen Burnie Park Civic Association, an area consisting of 1,000
homes where he and the family resided for 35 years. He was Coach and Manager of the Glen Burnie
Park Boys Baseball League, Vice President of the neighborhood swim club, and Scoutmaster and
Committee Chairman of the community Boy Scout Troop. As a member of St. Bernadette Catholic
Church, he was a Eucharistic Minister and Search Committee Chairman.

In 1992, John and Grace moved to Crofton, MD. There, they became members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Catholic Church and John once again became a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Pastoral Council,
Social Committee & Bereavement Committee. He also became Vice President and later President of the
Crofton Area Retired Persons Club. In recognition of his dedication to the community, the Crofton Civic
Association awarded him the honor of Crofton Citizen of the Year in 2011.

Aside from his demands as a community leader, John managed to find time to play tennis, his favorite
sport, at least once a week until he was 89 years old. Playing bridge, reading, and cruising the world with
his wife and friends were also favorite activities. For five decades, he and Grace made yearly pilgrimages
to Rehoboth Beach, DE, where he came for a week to reunite with his growing family. True to his
thoughtful and generous nature, he always picked up the check for family dinner night at Jake’s Seafood House there, even when the family eventually grew to more than 30 members. Incredibly, at the age of 98, John accepted a Grammy award given posthumously to his father and delivered the speech in a
ceremony aired on PBS.

John valued the education of future generations on the significance of World War II, enthusiastically
speaking about his experiences in the war to a myriad of elementary, middle, and high school children at
a myriad of schools in Maryland and Delaware. He made sure to represent himself and his fellow
veterans at each annual Crofton Armed Forces Day Parade. John served as Vice President and President
of the National Rainbow Veterans Association, as well as President of the 222nd Infantry Regiment
Veterans.

John has left a remarkable impression on the family and friends so fortunate to have known him. He will
be remembered for his quick wit, his love of history, and his service to the community and church. His
most dear commitment, however, was always to his family who will always cherish his smile, sense of
humor, and altruistic heart.

In addition to his wife, Grace, John is survived by their five children, Sue (Tom) Monahan of Dover, DE,
Bob (Nancy) Walker of Eldersburg, MD, Laurie (Bill) Fritts of Severn, MD, Carol (Greg) Myers of
Gaithersburg, MD, and John F. Walker of San Jose, CA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Rainbow Division Veteran Foundation, Inc. also you can visit rainbowvets.org