Kenneth Earl Walker

Kenneth E. Walker, age 90, died Tuesday, October 30, 2018.  He was born to Ernest and Charlotte Walker September, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN.  He married the former Mary Helen Schneider.  They had a beautiful wedding and wild and crazy reception.  A great start together.

There were four brothers; Bud, Norman, Walter, and Tom; two sisters, Ruth and Wilma, all deceased.

He had nine children, Gary (Susan) Walker, Joseph Walker (deceased), Dottie (Mike) Dewitt, Mary (Howard) Jay, Barbara (Ken) Wagg, Ken (Laurelin) Walker, Ruth (Tony) Sprick, James Walker, and Jeane Walker.   Ken also had 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Ken and Mary were high school sweethearts and married in 1950.  Ken started his working career at Ely Lilly and Co. in the production department.  Ken then owned a successful Shell Oil location and a Trade Winds camping trailer dealership in Indianapolis.

The family moved to New Mexico in 1964 where he developed 5 locations for the Burger Chef restaurant franchise.  Later, he opened 3 locations for American Sandwich Shops and 2 locations for Golden Skillet Fried Chicken, all in Albuquerque.

He was proud of the “First Job” that his businesses provided for all of his employees.  Even in retirement, it was common for former employees to stop and thank him for the opportunity he provided.

In retirement, Ken and Mary built 2 vacation homes themselves in the Brazos area of Northern New Mexico.  They spent many years in “The Brazos”.  There, they fished the Brazos and Chama rivers.  They hiked, explored, hunted, and were experienced snowmobilers-often snowmobiling from the Brazos into Colorado.

They traveled much of the USA by car and motorhome.  They also visited Ireland, England, Germany, France, and Greece.  They took the Mississippi Queen River boat up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers – a gift from their children!  They had many good memories of their travels.

Ken was a devout Catholic and lived his faith every day.  He was a friend of Fr. Ark and Fr. Charles and an active member of St. John XXIII Catholic Community.

Ken and Mary were married 68 years and were best friends.  He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and was very proud of the success each and every one of them achieved in life.  Ken was very loved and known for his work ethic, storytelling, sense of humor, and his big heart, and he will be greatly missed.

Rosary will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Lomas, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE.  A visitation and light reception will follow at 5:00 p.m. at the FRENCH-Lomas Reception Center.

The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.