Obituary of Doug Walker
Douglas Scott Walker, 64, beloved husband, son, brother, father and friend, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2019, surrounded by his family after a short battle with ALS.
Doug was born on June 1, 1955, in Norfolk, Nebraska, the second of 3 children. While first attending early elementary schooling in Grand Island, NE, the family relocated to Omaha, NE where he finished elementary school. Finally settling in Des Moines, IA in 1969, Doug attended Valley High School where he graduated in 1973. Following high school, Doug made the short trip to Ames, IA where he attended Iowa State University for four years, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in 1977. It was at Iowa State, during an extracurricular bowling class at the student union where Doug met the love of his life, Debbie J. Walker (Smith), whom he married shortly after graduation and shared 42 years of marriage, 3 children and 5 grandchildren before his passing.
After graduating from college, Doug entered the business world joining software company, Burroughs, as a salesman. Shortly into his career, he and Debbie moved to Kansas City to help a family business before returning to Des Moines, where he then worked in sales at Bausch & Lomb. Doug and Debbie started their family and welcomed their first two sons, Matthew (1981) and Christopher (1983) while in Des Moines. It wasn’t long after, he found his longtime employer, R&D Systems (currently Infor Global Solutions) and relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1985 and with the addition of their daughter, Katie (1986), Doug and Debbie raised their family in Colorado Springs until retirement in 2015 when they relocated to Erie, CO to be closer to the grandkids.
Doug had many passions. He could often be found out on the golf course and was a longtime member of Colorado Springs Country Club and the Blackbirds Men’s Golf Group. Doug also had an amazing knack for construction, and a great skill for figuring out how to make things work, often without manuals, and would offer his time to help others that needed a hand. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors boating with friends and family and watching his beloved Rockies and Broncos teams. Most of all though, Doug loved spending time with his family and playing with his 5 grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie J. Walker; two sons, Matt, his wife Anne and their two children – Kenley and Stone – all of Erie; and Chris, his wife Brittany and their two children – Brooke and Hadley – all of Paradise Valley, AZ; a daughter, Katie Jones (Walker), her husband Chris and their son – Wolfgang, all of Denver; two brothers, Robert Walker and his wife Linda, of Indianola, IA, and Steve Walker and his husband Adam, of San Diego, CA; his stepmother, Corenna (Tina) Walker of Bedford, TX; loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends.
Known as “Beepaw” to his family and “Wally” or “Chips” to his friends, Doug will be missed for his daily joy, appreciation for the simple things, sage advice, silly humor, kind heart, and listening ear. He could be stoic and quiet at times, but he still managed to lend a helping hand and always made those around him feel loved. He was devoted to family and endeared himself to countless friends and colleagues. He had a deep devotion to living life and loving his family. We mourn his loss and he will be dearly missed. Open House will be held Sept. 7th, 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., at Colorado Springs Country Club, 3333 Templeton Gap Rd., Colorado Springs. Memorial Service at 3:00 P.M. with a reception to follow.
