Dean Walker

Dean L. Walker, 86, of Jackson died Monday, March 14, 2005, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 23, 1918, at Oak Ridge, son of Ira O. and Bernice O. Riehn Walker.

Due to the death of his mother, Dean was raised by Monroe and Bennie Clingingsmith Kurre. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1937. While at Jackson High, he was a member of the 1934 state champion basketball team. He also graduated from Maryville State Teachers College, where he played football and basketball.

After graduation he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific as a dive bomber pilot. While in the Pacific he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Gold Stars in lieu of second, third, fourth and sixth Air Medals and a Silver Star in lieu of a fifth Air Medal, with citations in recognition of extraordinary achievements and meritorious acts in aerial flight against the enemy.

After the war, Dean taught school and coached in Jackson for two years and in Festus, Mo., for one year. He then returned home to work for the Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America with the repair crew. Dean also coached Little League baseball in Jackson and was on the city council. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson and VFW Post 10495 and Althenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 of Jackson.

He married Wilma Godwin Dec. 23, 1948; she survives. Also surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Sally Walker of Jackson and Joe and Pat Walker of Potosi, Mo.; a brother, Marshall Walker of Jackson; a sister, Mildred Sievers of Jackson; four grandchildren, Chase, Lindsey, Julie and Jodie.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin, and a sister, Mamie.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson, with the Rev. Carter Frey officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials can be made to the Jackson High School Scholarship Fund.