Michael Ray Walker

The beloved Michael (Mike) Ray Walker, 80, was called home to our Lord on the third Sunday of Easter, April 23, 2023. He was born on August 31, 1942, in Gary, Indiana to Jerome Francis Walker and Gene Frances (Ferguson) Walker. He grew up in Gary, Indiana, attending Holy Angels School, St. Mark’s School, Bishop Noll High School, and Purdue University. He began his career at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company on September 1, 1961 where he met the love of his life, Dolores (Dee), when he phoned for a credit report at the credit bureau where she worked. They met for a blind date at the diner in Walgreens in Chicago Heights, Illinois, which led to 59 1/2 years of holy matrimony. They were blessed with five children: Christine Walden (James), Andrea Brody (Michael), Michael Walker (Ellen), Cassandra Walker (Jack), and Patricia Walker. In his many years at Firestone, Mike rose from Tireman, mounting, balancing, and installing tires at a Chicago tire store where he was hired by his older brother Jack, to Vice President of US Commercial Tire Centers. His promotions led him and his family on an international adventure to Argentina, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Mexico. He learned Spanish as an adult and spoke like a native. In his free time, Mike enjoyed reading crime fiction and thrillers and pursuing his hobby as a ham radio operator with the extra class call sign K9SSL. He particularly liked amateur radio contesting and fox hunting. He used his radio expertise volunteering as a weather spotter gathering information during inclement weather to help forecasters, as well as participating during Hurricane Irma as a ham radio operator for a local shelter. He also volunteered during soccer tournaments and equestrian events by radioing for assistance for injured participants. His technical expertise extended to computers, and he was quick to offer assistance to friends and family with computer issues. When he was young, he was always inventing things and had an interest in outer space. His brother Jack says Mike was the smart one in the family, and that even though Mike was his younger brother, he always asked Mike for advice. Mike will be remembered for his sense of humor, as long as he waved his little “joke” flag, as well as his dedication to his faith, family, and work. Mike is survived by his wife, Dee, their children and their spouses, ten grandchildren (Kevin, Natasha, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Sadie, Daniel, Michael, Zachary, Lauren, and Adam), four great-grandchildren (Austin, Eleanor, Grady, and Liam), his brother Jack Walker (Louise), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Jim Walker (Bonnie). Mike's family will be holding a visitation on April 26, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Beyers Funeral Home in Lady Lake, Florida, followed by a memorial service at 2 PM led by Deacon Michael McGinnity of St. Paul Catholic Church in Leesburg, where Mike was a member. They ask that all who knew him keep him in their prayers and remember him for the loving, thoughtful person he was, who cared so much for his family and friends. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church, 320 E. Dade Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513 with inurnment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens 1901 County Road 25-A Leesburg, FL 34748 at 10:30 AM. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Michael Ray Walker

August 31, 1942 - April 23, 2023