Emerson Arlo Walker

It is with great sadness that the Walker Family announces the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Emerson Arlo “Dixie” Walker. Emerson died on Friday, January 13, 2017.
He was born on October 5, 1921 in Cloverdale, Indiana. As a youth, he worked on the family farm and attended school. After high school, he was awarded a basketball scholarship to Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana.
With the outbreak of World War II, Emerson left college to join the Marine Corps in 1942 and was soon sent to the Pacific with the Third Marine Division. Landings were made on Bougainville and Guam. Following his time in Guam, he was returned to the United States and was sent to Officer’s Candidate School. Once he graduated, he returned to Guam until the end of the war and was then sent to Japan for one year.
While serving with the Sixth Task Fleet in the Mediterranean, he met an American Bettina Siegel who was vacationing on the beach of Cannes, France. They were married six months later, on March 18, 1950.
While serving at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington DC, he completed his degree at the University of Maryland which taught classes at the Pentagon. Upon graduation, the Vice-President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, presented him with his diploma.
Colonel Walker attended several schools during his military service: Amphibious School, Quantico VA; Officer’s Recreation School, Fort Monmouth NJ; and Atomic Weapons Employment Course Base Sandia NM. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a battalion commander and a division staff member. After serving at MCRD San Diego as the commanding officer of the 2nd recruit training battalion, he retired from the Marine Corp with 26 years of service.
Emerson then began his second career as a high school teacher for the Grossmont High School District where he taught for the next 20 year.
Survivors include his wife, Bettina, children Keith of San Diego, daughter Karin who predeceased her father and daughter Pat of Lebanon Oregon, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Liturgical services for Colonel Walker will take place at St. Therese Church in San Diego on Thursday, January 19th. A Rosary will be recited at 11:00 followed by visitation. The funeral mass will begin at 12:00. Following the liturgy, the burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The Walker family wishes to thank everyone who offered their prayers for us as well as those who served us in preparation before, during and after the liturgy. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Dixie and for God’s Grace and comfort for his wife, Bettina, his family and for all who loved him.

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.