DAVID DUANE WALKER

David Duane Walker passed peacefully on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. His passing was primarily related to medical complications from scheduled heart surgery in August. Born in Torrance, CA on January 30, 1946, David relocated to Fresno as a teenager where he graduated from Fresno High School in 1964. A few months later, he met the love of his life Susan. The couple enjoyed more than 49 years of marriage. When David was 18 years old, the United States Army drafted him into Vietnam combat. He served from 1965 to 1967, at which time he was honorably discharged. David enjoyed attending Vietnam veteran reunion events around the country and supported multiple veteran organizations. David served in the Fresno City Fire Department from 1974 until 2001, retiring at the rank of captain. In addition, he led efforts to establish the Hazardous Materials Response Team which ensures our community receives a robust service during a hazardous materials event. Upon retirement, David looked forward to attending his retired firefighter brunches with former coworkers. For many decades, David enjoyed boating, including teaching his daughter, son, nieces and nephews how to water ski on lakes throughout the San Joaquin Valley. He also coached girls' softball, regularly cheered on his son and daughter at their sporting events and often traveled to San Francisco to attend Giants' baseball games. Later in life, David developed an affinity for gardening, wine and cocktail tasting, investing in the stock market and his aquatic aerobics with the Mermaid Club. Throughout his adult life, spending time with his wife remained his favorite activity and he was fortunate to extensively do so the last two decades of his life. David is survived by his wife Susan; their daughter, Amy and her spouse Herb; their son, Daniel and his spouse Joaquin; three grandchildren, Alec, Ariel and Sierra; two sisters, Cheryl and Deanne; many wonderful nieces and nephews; three cats, Pumpkin Head, Olivia and Ozzie; and many other extended family members and friends. The family would like to thank the many firefighters who visited and honored David as well as the wonderful medical staff at RMC who provided care and comfort the past two months. A church service followed by a reception will be held at the New Hope Community Church on Nees Avenue, in Clovis, CA, on Friday, November 2, 2018, starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America; the Salvation Army; the Fresno Poverello House; or the Cat Haven in Dunlap, CA.