Kenneth "Ken" Walker

1937 - 2016

Kenneth (Ken) Walker
1937 ~ 2016
Ken Walker, a truly great man, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at home, after a brief illness.
Ken was born April 6, 1937, to Lucille (Stewart) Walker and Lavelle Walker, in Los Angeles, California. While originally from the Twin Falls, Idaho area, Lucille and Lavelle had ventured to Los Angeles in 1929, after their marriage, where they lived and prospered for 13 years before returning to the Twin Falls and the Magic Valley in 1942 to be with family and raise their sons. Upon their return, each of the entrepreneurs went into business for themselves. Lucille opened her own beauty salon, and Lavelle immersed himself in farming. It was a good, solid life, and an excellent foundation for Ken and his older brother, Larry. It was good to be back with their pioneering families that had ventured from the mid-west to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1914.
Ken attended schools in Twin Falls, graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1955. His early childhood education through 8th grade was at Saint Edward's Catholic School. The family became Catholic in 1945, when Ken was 8 years old. Ken's early education in Catholic doctrine and spirituality ignited an educational flame in him that spanned his lifetime, and led to numerous years of Bible Study and reading a variety of wonderful spiritual books on the topics of life, church, and family. He had a thirst for knowledge on the topic, which he now knows absolutely, from his firsthand experience on the other side. We wonder what he would have to say about it all now. He was full of love and gratitude to the end.
Ken met and married the love of his life, Sharon (McGinnis) Walker, of Twin Falls, in 1957.
After attending college in Pocatello, at Idaho State University, Ken became an electronic technician, and started his career in Ogden, Utah, at Hill Airforce Base. For the next 8 years, Ken traveled extensively as a civilian for the Airforce, specializing in the electronics behind the ground-to-air transmissions and working with the intricate electronic details of control towers and early warning detection sites throughout the United States. He and Sharon also started their family. They both wanted a large, close family, which they achieved, with 5 children in the span of 7 years (Wendy, Tammy, Heidi, Skip, and Bill). They always enjoyed the teamwork they developed as a young married couple, to create a home and raise a family. Their fun adventures of traveling extensively with their young family filled many hours of reminiscing and storytelling for the years to come.
Ken and Sharon settled in Spokane, Washington for a few years before they decided to relocate back to Twin Falls, in 1963, to raise their children around family. Ken accepted a position as the Manager of Cable Vision, and later moved into an ownership position with that company. Ken was elected the State President of the Idaho Cable Association, and he was a selected lobbyist in Washington D.C. for the industry. He and his team re-built the Twin Falls cable system, along with the cable systems in many of the outlying cities. The Cable Systems they rebuilt are still working today, in Twin Falls, Jerome, and Buhl. Ken was with Cable Vision until he and his partners sold the company in 1977.
When the evolution of Satellite Television started, Ken was at the forefront. His background of business, electronics, cable television, and the entrepreneurial spirit, fused together with a respectable sales team, which was led by his sons and family. His first Satellite Company was started in 1979. Over the years, the main company, Satellite Technology, and associated companies grew to employ over 400 people, with show rooms, installation teams, and a call center that spanned seven states. Satellite Technology was the nationwide leader in sales for many years.
In his professional days, Ken was a pillar of the Twin Falls community. He was a 3rd generation Twin Falls entrepreneur, and was involved in many community groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Rotary and Toastmaster's. Ken sponsored numerous youth sports teams and individuals. He coached baseball for his sons teams, and always encouraged the youth to better themselves. Many remember the baseball days of 'Cables Ables'.
Ken loved skiing. He would take the family skiing regularly during their school years, and there are fond memories and stories of Wednesday night skiing 'under the lights' at Pomerelle ski resort, and the slippery roads to and from the ski mountain in the family's 9-passenger station wagon. That station wagon…!
Ken was active in Christian Ministry. In the 1960's, he became involved in the local Cursillo movement. When the Cursillo movement fizzled out in Twin Falls in the 1970's, he was passionate to bring it back. He was instrumental in re-igniting the Cursillo movement in the early 1980's, which continued successfully in the Twin Falls area for the next 30 years. Years later, when the Cursillo movement in Boise fizzled out, it was the Twin Falls spark that re-ignited it.
Ken and Sharon aligned with the same teamwork they used when raising a family, to become a popular teaching duo for the Church Ministry of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for St. Edward's Catholic Church. They did this for years, and created a highly charged, spiritual and educational experience. Many of their RCIA students speak fondly of their experience, as being a very caring, life-enhancing experience.
Ken enjoyed the educational classes offered at St. Edwards and the Monastery of the Ascension. At St. Edward's, he was a Eucharistic Minister, and a Lector, plus he prayed for many hours in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. He was a devoted member of the Catholic community, and in 2001-2002, he used his engineering background and passion to lead the renovation committee that reviewed the physical damage at the St. Edward's Church, which had resulted in the church being closed, and he was instrumental in defining what was necessary to get it repaired and re-opened.
Ken also enjoyed Bible Study at the Episcopal Church in Twin Falls, for years, and felt very welcome there.
Ken was always the rock of his family. He visited his mother, Lucille, daily, before her death at 102 years old, and he was very attentive and gracious to his wife, Sharon, when she was sick. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and thought of them as his greatest achievement and legacy.
Ken is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon McGinnis-Walker (2014); his parents, Lucille and Lavelle Walker; his in-laws, Dorothy and George McGinnis; two grandsons, Lavelle Alexander Walker and William Lavelle Walker; sister-in-law, Gloria Short; and his niece, Penny Lynn McGinnis.
He is survived by his brother, Larry Walker; his five children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – Wendy (David) DeHaas, Amanda, Larissa, and Michael DeHaas. Tammy Walker (Ron Folkinga) Johan and Bo Folkinga. Heidi (Brad) Diehl, Steven (Kristin), Desirae (George) Knaup, and Amber (Scott) Alexander. Skip Walker, Whitney (Brock) Dayley, and Heavenlee Walker. Bill Walker (Carolyn Manwaring), Caitlin (Rob Kirkhart), Emily, Margaret Walker, and Molly, Natalie Walker-Mallas, great-grandsons Jaeden and Kendon Dayley, and Emerson Kirkhart, and three more great-grandchildren on the way!
Sister-in-law Judy (Frank) Rienstra, brothers-in-law George (Lea) McGinnis Jr., and Bob (Maxine) Short, and numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Ken had a few longtime friends, that deserve a special mention: Jerry Boyd (childhood friend and neighbor), Johnnie (Bette Jo) Cline (worked and traveled together during the early years), and George Shannon (35 year friendship and communication into a myriad of topics).
Special thanks to the following, who were very helpful during Ken's illness, while honoring his choice of holistic, natural care over any medical intervention: Living Waters Cleanse in Boise, Zed Peavler, Vickie Sorensen's Natureworks, Jeana Leavell, and Chiropractor Dr. Chad Nielsen. We are grateful to Neyle Perdomo, friend of the family, who helped Ken daily, along with the immediate family, during the last weeks of his illness. Thanks to the above, Ken was able to be home and naturally pain free throughout his illness. Thanks, also, to Alliance Hospice and those who provided loving care.
The viewing and rosary will be on Wednesday evening, September 7th, at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Avenue East in Twin Falls. The viewing will start at 5:00 p.m. Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Thursday, September 8th, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 161 6th Avenue East in Twin Falls. A luncheon follows at the parish hall, with the burial (at Sunset Memorial Park) to be completed after the luncheon.
Donations can be made in Ken's name to the Angel Fund Program at St. Edwards Catholic School, which is dear to Ken. Contributions may be given to funeral chapel staff or mailed to Reynolds Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 1142, Twin Falls, ID 83303.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.reynoldschapel.com.