Lawrence Edward Walker

Lawrence Edward Walker passed away Monday, July 8 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 82 after a long illness.

Edward was born September 8, 1941 in Union County, New Mexico to Angus Walker and Lucy Oldfield Walker. Edward attended school at West Ward and Central Ward in Clayton, NM, as well as in Hot Springs and Albuquerque. In November 1962 he joined the Army National Guard, which in his later life he considered to be one of his most positive life influences. On January 16, 1965 he married Elizabeth Effie Hephner. Edward worked for Jack Lewis for nine years and in 1975 Edward and his family moved south of Clayton from the Yates area where they purchased the old homestead where he spent time as a child. Edward and Effie acquired the Lazy E Ranch south of Clayton in 1990, which he still owned at the time of his passing. He farmed and ranched in Union County until 1992. In 1996 he bought a ranching operation in Chockataw County, Oklahoma. In 2009 he sold the Oklahoma ranch and moved back to Albuquerque to be near his sister and her family. Shortly thereafter he bought his final home in Sandia Park where he spent many years making beautiful furniture, fishing, and growing a colorful array of peonies and roses.

Edward was preceded in death by his father, mother, one brother Henry Walker, three sisters Juanita Criner, Rebecca Kostachek, and Edith Tunnell. He is survived by his sister, Ruby Purcell, brothers Jack Walker and Darryl Walker, a very special friend, Dana Bear, his four children and their spouses: David and Deanna Walker, Garth and Ginger Walker, Nick and Stacy Walker Diller, and Derek and Jeanette Walker; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren with one more on the way.

A private family service will be held at the Rinker Cemetery near Seneca, New Mexico Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:30am. Immediately following the service, a meal will be held at the First United Methodist Church 200 N. 5th Ave., Clayton NM 88415 (west side entrance).