Obituary of Carroll J. Walker

Carroll J. Walker, known by his many friends as CJ, died on June 11, 2019 in Olympia, Washington. CJ was born in Benguet, Philippines in 1930 to William and Myrtle Tuck. CJ’s father was an American-educated mining engineer, working in the Philippines, which later created historical challenges for the family. His parents divorced.  Later, his mother and Doc Walker married and they had CJ’s younger sister.  When CJ was 11, the Second World War had begun.  When the Japanese captured and invaded the Philippines, CJ was interned with his parents and little sister in a Japanese Camp for more than three years.

   

After the United States military liberated the Philippines in 1945, CJ and his family, along with other Americans who had been interned in the Japanese camps, were shipped back to the United States. After he was liberated at age 15 and returned to the states, he was able to finish high school in Idaho. He then joined the United States Air Force, and got his first whiff of jet-fuel, and the connection with aircrews.  After he became a flight tower operator, his interest in aviation continued to grow until he started private flight lessons while stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base. 

   

When he left the Air Force, CJ entered the University of Washington School of Journalism, where he graduated near the top of his class. This new career and life lead him to his lifetime co-pilot. In the late 1950s, CJ met his bride-to-be in San Francisco, while working for The Daily Olympian. They were married October 18, 1957. In 1962, they moved to Honolulu where CJ worked for the Honolulu Advertiser. They had two marvelous sons who CJ taught to fly.  The youngest son, David, continued his father’s love affair with aviation and is presently a captain with FedEx. Doug has a successful career as a commercial photographer in Olympia. 

 

CJ’s journey in journalism brought them back to Olympia, where he became City Editor and feature writer at The Olympian. CJ often kidded about “Not ruining a good story with the facts.”

   

CJ’s aviation credentials included Commercial/Instrument multi-engine with Instructor ratings. When he left his journalism career, he continued his flying ambitions with the Washington State Wildlife Department. CJ was also fond of sailing and, after his sons started their own lives, he and Joan boarded their 30-foot ketch and sailed to Mexico for two years (1985-87).

 

CJ and his loving wife Joan had nearly 62 wonderful years together. He leaves her, his sons, Doug’s wife Lisa, and two grandsons, Zach and Nick.  His sister Karen Stern lives in Napa, California.

 

No Service Planned

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