Baker City, Oregon
La Vaughn “Oscar Mayer” Albert Walker, died Jan. 23, 2003, at Twin Firs Retirement Center in La Grande.
His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Island City Cemetery. Pastor Wilfred Nitz of the Faith Lutheran Church of La Grande will officiate.
Mr. Walker was born April 26, 191, to Albert Ross Walker and Emma Huntley Walker. His mother died when he was a young boy. He spent most of his youth in foster homes.
He lived in La Grande most of his life until a few years after the death of his wife, Jessie Vess, in January 1963. On December 22, 1970, he married Cleo Sword of Baker City. He lived in Baker City until July 2002 when he moved in the Twin Firs Retirement Center.
Mr. Walker worked for the railroad while in La Grande and did TV repairs (Crystal TV) as a hobby and extra job. When the ham radioers were popular, he was totally into it, making contacts all over the United States and Canada. He went by “Alligator.”
He loved telling stories to those who would listen, elaborating to make the story more interesting.
Survivors include two sons, Darrel of Bakersfield, Calif., and Thomas of La Grande; a daughter, Mary Sutton of Pahrump, Nev.; 13 grandchildren and several great- grandchildren.
He was married three times. His wives all died earlier, the last two during their marriages.
Memorial contributions may be made to the La Grande Home Health/Hospice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 31, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor