John Lawrence Walker

passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015 at his residence on Bainbridge Island, Washington after a valiant struggle with Progressive Supra-nuclear palsy. He was surrounded by the love of his family. John was a stoic man of sharp intellect, few words, and a dry sense of humor.Born on May 11, 1940 in Niagara Falls, NY, John was one of five children born to Sarah and John Walker. After graduating from Royalton-Hartland High School, John received a football scholarship and enrolled in the College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He also washed dishes at a sorority, and found time to sing bass in the University Chapel Choir. After one year playing football, he switched to rowing on the Syracuse Varsity Crew Team. John cultivated his love of forestry and ventured to the West Coast as a smoke jumper during a summer job in the national forests of California, prior to his junior year of college. Upon his return to Syracuse, John met Nancy Miller, a nurse who tended to the back injury he incurred by jumping out of helicopters to fight forest fires. They married on June 2, 1962, the day of his college graduation.John and Nancy then spent a year in Dehra Dun, India at the Forest Research Institute where John did graduate work in tropical forestry, having been awarded a Fulbright Grant. On their return, they settled in Seattle. John enrolled at the University of Washington, earning a PhD in Economics. A career in the Forest Products Industry followed, first with Weyerhaeuser, then Simpson Timber Company in Seattle. John rose to Vice President of Timberlands at Simpson and was deeply involved in international forestry projects, primarily in Chile and Guatemala. At this time, too, John was a participant in the Washington State Agricultural and Forestry Leadership Program. The group made one of the first trips to a newly opened China in 1981.After retirement John took on a more active role in the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club, becoming president in 2000-2001.He was deeply engaged in the club's Youth Exchange Program and annual Rotary Auction. However his greatest passion was for the Club's Uganda project, locating fresh water well sites near remote villages. He made five trips to Uganda, establishing wells, and developing lasting friendships.When not traveling with Nancy, John loved skiing at Mission Ridge in Wenatchee and at Whistler with his sons and two grandsons. Other joys were classical music, woodworking, photography and, mainly, spending time with family.John is survived by five siblings: James (Ginger), Albany, GA; Rachel (JD), Gasport, NY; Lewis (Kay), Jacksonville, AR; and Bill (Ni), Lockport, NY; his wife, Nancy of Bainbridge Island, WA; son Tom, Bainbridge Island; and son Brian and wife, MiJung of Wenatchee, WA, as well as his namesake, John, age 14, and Will, age 13, who brought him the greatest joy of all.A Remembrance Ceremony will be held on May 17, 2015, from 1 - 4 PM at Island Wood, 4450 Blakely Ave., Bainbridge Island. Donations may be made to Bainbridge Island Rotary Club, Uganda Projects or Hospice of Kitsap County. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.