OBITUARY: Richard Henry Walker

Richard Henry Walker, the son of Albert Eugene and Nancy Kaye (Hatfield) Walker was born Jan. 4, 1973 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and departed this life on Feb. 5, 2019 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 46 years, 1 month and 11 days.

Richard graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1991 and enlisted in the United States Army. After he finished with his AIT he transferred to the United States Navy where he served from 1992 until 1999 when he was Honorably Discharged and joined the Naval Reserves. He served in the Reserves until 2006. While in the Navy he trained with the Navy Seals, and worked with the Striker missiles, as well as amphibious landing craft. He was an HM2, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer. He was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital and finally assigned to the 4th Marine Division as a medic, where he was called “Doc”. After he left the military, he was able to attain his bachelor’s degree from Strayer University and was currently working on his master’s from Jack Welch Management Institute.

Richard was a loving and caring man with an inquisitive mind, always researching diverse entities and striving to better himself. He was also a ham radio operator. He served as Adjutant with the DAV Cherokee Chapter 31 in Tahlequah. He enjoyed playing the guitar and sharing his vast knowledge of many subjects and teasing his siblings. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a compassion for others. His heart was in helping people and he volunteered in many capacities, from assisting veterans with their disability claims to volunteering with the Police Department in Salt Lake City, as well as many other things. Richard enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to go hiking, camping, snowshoeing and just admiring God’s creation. Richard loved his family and he enjoyed spending time with them. Over the years Richard was able to help many people and he touched many lives. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Richard was preceded in death by his father Albert Eugene Walker and his grandparents. He is survived by a loving family which includes his mother Nancy Kaye Walker of Tahlequah; his daughter Amber Nicole Walker of Houston, TX; his sisters Angela Pauline Walker, M. Heather Ridenhour and husband Brian, Shelby Kaye Walker all of Tahlequah; his brother Joseph Daniel Walker of Tahlequah; his half-sisters Susanna Joy Bailes and husband Brad of Clare-more and Amanda Dawson of Houston, TX; and his niece and nephews Jordan, Branan, Madi, Jordan II, Bryson, and Carson. Also, his uncles, Charles Hatfield of Ferris, Texas and Dan Hatfield of Aiken, SC, as well as several friends and other relatives who also survive him.