W.Z. Fred Walker

April 10, 1925 ~ April 5, 2020
W. Z. Frederick Walker, Tennis Player
Fred Walker, for many years a familiar face on the tennis courts in Wheat Ridge, passed away from complications of age related illnesses on April 5, 2020 at his home at the Village at Belmar in Lakewood. He was 94 and was five days short of his 95th birthday. His loving wife of 73 years, local Wheat Ridge artist Ellie Walker, was by his side and holding his hand.
Fred was a native of Norristown Pennsylvania, where grew up on a horse farm, played high school basketball, was Treasurer of his class and nick named "The Million Dollar Smile". In 1943 he enlisted in the US Army and soon entered the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He suffered a back injury and was Honorably Discharged to his regret, just before his 14th Armored Division shipped overseas in the fall of 1944. Fred returned to civilian life and enrolled at Penn State University, meeting his future wife Ellie on his very first day of school in State College. Fred and Ellie were married at St Paul Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1947. They both loved to dance, and shared a love of music and travel, while raising their family of three children.
Fred graduated from Penn State in 1947 (BS Civil Engineering), briefly played varsity basketball for the Nittany Lions, and held leadership roles in his fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma and a member of the honorary fraternity Phi Eta Sigma. He began his career in sales and management with Libbey Owens Ford Glass Company, living in New York, Boston, Denver, Richmond, and Atlanta before returning to Denver in 1970 and retiring in Wheat Ridge in 1978.
Fred loved to travel and took many trips to Europe, starting in 1966, when he bought a small car overseas and toured 13 countries with his family. Other memorable family trips included exploring the West by car in the 50s and 60s, driving to Alaska and Mexico, several more trips to Europe, Israel, Hawaii, and cruises that included all six grandchildren. Fred and Ellie especially loved spending time at their beach house in Galveston TX, one they graciously shared with family and friends, and “BeachWalkers” came to define their family life for two decades.
Although raised Quaker and Baptist, Fred was active at the Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, serving as long time Usher, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. For decades Fred served as President of his Sunday School, known as The Homesteaders. In this role, Fred contracted interesting speakers from all walks of life to present to their class. He also wrote the words to The Homesteaders Class Song, sung to the tune of Edelweiss, and printed below*. Fred volunteered for other local organizations, including 16 years for The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), driving senior citizens to ski areas and float trips when he was older than most of his charges.
Besides family, Fred’s true joy was sports, playing tennis almost daily until age 91, and participating in church volleyball, golf with friends and family, skiing into his mid-80s, playing neighborhood hockey, and pick-up basketball. Fred loved watching the Penn State Nittany Lion football team and the Broncos, and his mood might hinge on their wins or losses.
Fred is survived by his wife Ellie; his three children, Tamie Walker Bulow, Ted Walker (Annie), and Wendy Walker Erich (Dave); his six grandchildren Justin Walker (Katie), Nick Bulow (Erica), Katie Hays (Wes), Whitney Crowder-Walker (Mel), Jed Walker (Allison) and Scott Erich (Emily). He is blessed with ten great-grandchildren. His kind and generous spirit, along with his poetry written for special occasions, will be forever missed.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date, once the current situation allows a celebration of his long and wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, 7530 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.
*to the tune of Edelweiss:
Jesus Christ Son of God
Your love will always sustain us
Prince of Peace, died for us
His life effect is enormous
God give us faith
That we need today
Be with us forever
Loving God, Mighty God
Bless us in every endeavor
on reading about his life i deeply regret not knowing. my thoughts are with his wife and family