Paul Dean Walker Jr.

Paul Dean Walker Jr., 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 7, 2010, at the Rigby Homestead Assisted Living Center of natural causes. He was born March 24, 1924 in Lewisville, Idaho to Paul Dean Walker and Helen Ball Walker. He grew up in Pocatello, Idaho where he attended Pocatello High School. His summers were spent in Lewisville farming and assisting his widowed grandmother. After graduation in 1942, he joined the US Navy, was trained as a fire controlman. He was aboard the USS Arneb, an attack cargo transport, and participated in many of the invasions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He married Elma Wright on June 3, 1947 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They farmed in Annis for the first few years of their marriage, and then moved to Monteview in 1954, where they farmed for over forty years. He served as Jefferson County Commissioner for fourteen years, which was a time of many county improvements. Jefferson County established a regional landfill at Mud Lake, constructed several new roads including the cutoff road from monteview to Camas, and joined with Fremont County to build the Hamer-Egin road during this period of time. Paul was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed serving others as the Bishop of the monteview Ward, as a member of the Roberts Idaho Stake Presidency and as a Patriarch. Paul and Elma served together in the San Diego, California Mission at the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s center and at the San Diego Temple. Paul enjoyed spending time with his family, neighbors, and friends. He is survived by his wife, Elma; their four sons, Gary Walker (Ardith) of Twin Falls, Keith Walker (Jan) of St. Anthony, Ron Walker (Cindy) of Rexburg, and Robert Walker (Becky) of Idaho Falls; brothers Van Walker (Reta) of Lewisville and Alfred Walker (DeAnne) of Thayne, Wyoming; 16 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Skyline LDS Chapel 2345 W. 17th South, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, at eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 a.m.to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Lewisville Cemetery, under the care of eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Contributions may be made to the Humanitarian, or Perpetual Education Fund.