Edward Walsh Jr.

EDWARD JOSEPH WALSH, JR., 88, was born in Washington D.C. on March 29, 1919 and passed away in El Paso, Texas on February 20, 2008. The son of Colonel Edward Joseph Walsh, Sr. and Jacqueline Cora Roach Walsh, he was raised all over the United States including Puerto Rico and Hawaii where he graduated from Iolani High School. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Joe chose a career as a pilot in the Air Force. He also received a Master's Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. His 30 years of active duty included service in both WW I and Vietnam where he served as wing commander of 56th Special Operations at Nakom Phenom, Thailand. Other assignments included the Strategic Air Command, two tours in the Pentagon, and overseas duty in Mexico and Central America. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster and the Air Medal with eight clusters. On retirement as a full Colonel from the Air Force in 1973, Joe came to El Paso having married a local girl, Sylvia Lou Miller on January 29, 1945 at St. Clements Episcopal Church. His wife pre-deceased him in 1995 after fifty years of marriage. His civilian life in El Paso included duties as President of the International Visitors Council, the Upper Rio Grande Private Industry Council and the local S.C.O.R.E. chapter. Joe also served as the Director and Secretary of the Sandoval Apartment Housing Board for the El Paso Housing Authority, a Director of the Salvation Army's Pleasantville Home, Director of the El Paso Aerospace Get-Away-Special Board for NASA, Director of the El Paso Manpower and Services Council and Chairman of the El Paso Cancer Drive. A member of the Rotary Club of El Paso for over 25 years, he was a former Director and programmer for R.Y.L.A. for which he received a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Serra Club of El Paso, El Paso Historical Society, Daedalians, El Paso Art Museum, Council of Abandoned Military Posts, Military Order of World Wars and the Retired Officers' Association. A lifelong golfer, Joe enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife and their close friends, and in his final retirement years he also enjoyed playing bridge and gin rummy three times a week with his "cronies". In addition to an interesting and successful career and a loving marriage, Joe loved his family and took great pride and happiness in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his four children, Jacqueline Walsh Christensen, Ann Walsh Shannon, Edward Joseph (Mike) Walsh III, and Sylvia Edith (Cita)Walsh; his six grandchildren, John Walsh DuBose, Suzanne DuBose, Meredith DuBose and her husband Martin Sopher, Margaret Shannon and her fiancé Henri Prins, Michael Shannon and Lena Vincent; and his two great -grandchildren, Alexis Coates and Aiden Sopher. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2008 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:30 A.M. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere. Honorary pallbearers are Al Haig, Frank Gorman, Bill Gardner, Art Gorman, Charlie Gatty, Frank McKnight, Dorr Miller, Bill White, Rod Thompson, Steve Pressler, Karl Friedman, Bill Hooten, Gene Anderson and George Jackson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Serra Club of El Paso, or the charity of your choice. Private interment will be held at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912