Charles Walker

Charles Morris Walker stepped into the open arms of his Savior surrounded by loving family on Thursday, June 28th, at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, after battling heart disease for over 20 years.

Born on August 12, 1950, in Fort Dodge, IA., to Garnet and Gerald Walker, Charlie’s first experience with poor health was when he was bedridden in fifth grade with Perthes Disease, affecting the ball and socket of his left hip keeping him in traction for a year.   Once he got out of bed, you couldn't stop him whether he was hunting pheasants, fishing, or just playing a kickball game with the local kids, he was full throttle, on go with intensity and drive.

He made his way to Minnesota in the late 70’s and God, in His mercy, had plans for his life as Charlie accepted Jesus as his Savior.  Along with having a career in sales, he was very active in ministry which included working with the youth at Northern Lights, speaking at hundreds of churches across the United States and into Canada and being involved with prison ministry sharing his love for people.  He had a big heart and sincerely wanted a person to change for the good.  Being a certified, ride-along, Becker County Sheriff’s Chaplin for over 20 years, he was called to serve the first responders at Ground Zero shortly after the 9/11 attacks.  For the past number of years, he was an integral part of the men’s recovery program at the Compassion House in Detroit Lakes.

Charlie’s charisma and infectious personality gained many friends wherever he went.  He had friends all over, entertaining them with the stories he’d tell.  Some have said they’d never met a better storyteller, he could just reel you in just like he was reeling in a fish.  He loved fishing, being in a boat with family and friends.  If you weren’t catching fish he might say, ‘you want to try my pole, you want to switch spots’ or ‘look at the size of this fish…get the net!’  Fishing with Charlie/Dad was always an adventure.

Kind of ironic, a man with such a big, caring heart dies from a heart attack.  He lost his earthly battle.  He will truly be missed by all – Nadine Walker, his wife of 35 years, his sons Scott Walker (Melissa), Fort Dodge, IA., Sean Walker (Annette), Lehigh, IA., Tyler Darby, Fort Dodge, IA., Derek Walker (Amanda), Park Rapids, MN.  He’ll be missed by his grandchildren, which he loved dearly, along with his sisters Linda Walker, Jerry Weaver and Jane Parks all of Fort Dodge, IA., along with numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters Carol McNeely and Beverly Tiernan.

As per Charlie’s request, his remains have been bequeathed to Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN.  There will be a Celebration of Life Service July 28th, 2018, at 10 am at Northern Lights Freedom and Life Church, 28372 North Buffalo Lake Road, Callaway, MN 56521.