Dr. Harold "Pete" Walker, PhD

age 94, of Navarre, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. He was born on a family farm near Louisville, OH, on February 5, 1927, to the late Donald and Della (Oyster) Walker. He was a 1945 graduate of Louisville High School and immediately entered the United States Army. He served in the Adjutant General's Department in Germany and Austria. Dr. Walker received his Bachelor's Degree from Mount Union College in 1950 and his Masters Degree from Kent State University in 1954. He received his PhD from The Ohio State University, graduating in 1967. He began his professional career as a teacher and guidance counselor at Canton South High School. He served as Principal of Amos McDannel Elementary School and both Harter and Worley Schools in Canton City. Dr. Walker's public school service also included being Superintendent of Canton Local Schools, Louisville City Schools and the Canton City School District. He chose to spend part of his career in higher education, and served Malone College as a Professor in Education and Behavioral Sciences, Chairman of The Division of Education and Psychology, and as Executive Vice President of the College. He was also for many years a part-time staff member of the Ohio School Boards Association as Regional Secretary for Northeast Ohio. Dr. Walker received many recognitions and professional awards. The first Junior High School in Canton Local School District was named in his honor in 1962, and he was inducted into the Canton South Hall of Fame in 2020. He was a recipient of the Phi Delta Kappa Award for Educational Leadership. Both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions for his service in Ohio. Dr. Walker served over thirty years on the Canton District YMCA Board of Trustees, and was a member of the YMCA Heritage Foundation. He was a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church and was an active member of Otterbein United Methodist Church. He owned race horses and was a member of the United States Trotting Association. He kept a horse and carriage at an Amish farm in Holmes County for many years and had many good friends among the Amish and visited them often.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Beatrice Petty and brothers, Russell and Robert Walker. Dr. Walker is survived by his wife, Carolyn Walker, with whom he would have celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary on March 22nd, two sons, James (Marlene) Walker, and Timothy (Dianne) Walker, a step-daughter, Alisa (Brian) Radcliffe, three grandsons, Christopher (Jamey) Walker, Chad (Cassie) Walker, and Shawn (Melissa) Walker, granddaughter, Katelyn (Joshua) Gilbert, and eight great-grandchildren, his brother, Richard (Carolyn) Walker, a sister-in-law, Doris Walker, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A family only service will be held Tuesday in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with Pastor Peggy Garner officiating. There will be no visitation. Interment will be in Ft. Laurens Cemetery in Bolivar with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Malone University Development Fund at 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44709, or Harold R. Walker Elementary School at 3525 Sandy Ave. SE, Canton, OH 44707. Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 456-4766

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Published by The Repository on Feb. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Walker

11 Entries

Renee L Porter

February 21, 2023

By now I'm sure you are visiting with my mother (Ruth) and my father (Ron). I hope you are all resting in peace and are all happy to be reunited.

Renee L Porter

February 21, 2023

I still think of Harold Walker (Pete) very often. I miss his kindness and his smile when I would visit OH from NC.

Mike and Peg Price

March 8, 2021

Dr. Walker was such a wonderful man and we felt so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know him while members of Strasburg United Methodist Church. We so appreciated his contributions to our Tuesday morning Bible Study and feel so very blessed to have known him. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Philip A Budervic

March 2, 2021

The Walker Family:

May God comfort you during this time of sorrow, I had the privilege of having Dr. Walker as my professor for several classes when I attended Malone College. He was a gentleman's gentlemen. He was always upbeat about life and had kind word for everyone. Rest in peace my Friend.

Rick Lewis, OSBA executive director

March 1, 2021

On behalf of the members, trustees and staff of the Ohio School Boards Association, please accept our deepest sympathies. Public education has lost strong supporter and more importantly, a true friend. Pete changed countless lives and will be missed. We are sorry for your loss but hope that your memories will bring you comfort. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Greg and Tina Farmer

Planted Trees

William M. Kopka

March 1, 2021

One did not work "for" Dr. Harold Walker, but rather "with" Dr. Walker
-- I had that privilege while employed by the Canton City Schools. A talented educator and administrator who dedicated his entire life to education, he also was a kind and humble man who lead by example. Stark County is a better place because of him. My sympathies to his family and may God bless and comfort all of his loved ones. --Bill Kopka

Jim Morton

February 28, 2021

Mr. Walker was my History teacher at Canton South his first year of teaching in 1954. He was the absolute best teacher I ever had. There were days he would walk in the class and tell us to close our books, we're just going to talk. There had been something that triggered a teaching moment, more important than what was in the book. Thank you Mr. Walker! We will be praying for the family!
Jim Morton "Class of 57"

Malone University

February 28, 2021

We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Walker's life and legacy. Thinking of his family and friends during this time.

Jim McWhorter and Gwen Kovesci

February 28, 2021

Our deepest condolences to the friends and family, May God be with all of you during this time of grief.

Renee Porter-Bowers

February 28, 2021

Dearest Pete: What a wonderful husband you have been for my Auntie Carol! Your love for each other was solid. I’m so glad you passed gracefully. I pray all of your wishes will be granted, as requested! You knew this day would come and had been preparing for your demise for such a long time, both in writing and verbally. You wanted to spare your family as much pain as you could. You are amazing in the fact you had plans written and requested. I just hope they are honored! My aunt will honor your wishes to the best of her ability. I do know that. She thought the world of you. Steve, my mom (Ruth Bowers), and I will never forget you! Rest in Peace, dear man.

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