SANDY WALKER

1952 - 2021

SANDY WALKER

May 11, 1952 Oct. 9, 2021

Sandy Walker had an unparalleled gift for friendship. She turned business associates into lifelong friends. She introduced partners from one sphere of her life to others to form a different universe. She maintained relationships for decades. When you entered her orbit, you never left.

Sandy passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021 in Holtville California, with her beloved son, Zane Nilson, at her side.

Sandra Lynn Walker (Sandy) was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 11, 1952, Mothers Day that year. And so for her being a mother, Sandy excelled as she did in all of her endeavors.

In her early days in school Sandy tried out for youth sports playing touch football and kickball. She tried out for the boys football team but had to quit when she got tackled having her helmet fall off, the boys yelled, shes a girl! Always active Sandy would wear out a pair of sneakers every week. In 1964 the family moved to Wayne Pa. in a house big enough for her family of seven. In the 6th grade Sandy was introduced to field hockey and lacrosse.

Sandy spent much more time on the Jersey Shore in her youth at their grandfathers summer house where she learned how to sail with her brother, Bruce. That formed her dedication to healthy environment. Restoration of the Salton Sea was a particular passion. Anything that had to do with water had her focus.

Sandy attended Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr Pa. graduating in 1970. From there she went to Wilson College where she continued to play field hockey and lacrosse. She graduated from Wilson in 1974 where she majored History and Psychology. One example of Sandy's dedication to excellence was her membership on the undefeated 1975 U.S. Womens National Lacrosse Team. Sandy was at the annual reunion the month before she died. That shared experience and triumph cemented life-long relationships. Sandy furthered her education at Temple University Graduate School of Business and California Coast College School of Administration and Management. Sandy also went back to Wilson College to serve 3 terms on their Board of Trustees (1995-2004) making her an Everett-Pomeroy Trustee.

Sandy's career included doing work in Kentucky Highlands Investment Corp and Bennett Box Company. The Colorado Housing Finance Authority where she developed and sold the first commercially successful publicly traded AAA rated Bond. Moving on to California where she met and continued a long-time business and friendship with Tom DuBose. Created Coachella Agri Fuel and was instrumental in the funding for the Colmac Energy plant in Coachella. Time with SOA in Martinez Ca where she assisted in the commercialization of the AIPS for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment. Spent time at TSS in Sacramento, Solar Bee, Zeropex, and Wingwalker Inc. Founding partner in DuBose Design Group and Oceanus Energia y Agua de Mexico, partnering with DuBose and another long-time business associate and good friend, Jose Garcia in Mexicali, Mexico.

In the late 80's Sandy managed the Imperial Valley Cattle Feeders Beef Plant Task Force with submission to the USDA and US Trade Representative that worked on the NAFTA language to hopefully recruit a State of the Art Beef Processing Plant in the Imperial Valley. It was this work that assisted DuBose in the County of Imperial's role in Brawley Beef opening up in 2001.

Sandy's farm in Wilton expressed her generosity. She grew olives, walnuts, almonds, plums, and produce to give all of that away. Nobody visiting ever left empty-handed. The pig barn became the bunk house. The yard became the Zen Garden. She transformed her spot in the universe into tranquility. The tread through Sandy's business career was thinking big, making an impact, changing the world. Along the way, she enlisted a small army of dedicated compatriots who became life friends.

Passing before her father, George Thomas Walker in October 1999; mother, Anita Boulden Walker in December 2019; Older brother, David Alan Walker in June of 2017; younger sister, Leslie Walker Carrol who passed away in Sandy's home in Wilton, Ca. in March 2020.

She is survived by older brother, Bruce Walker, younger brother, Richard Walker, and son, Zane Walker Nilson of Holtville California.

A celebration of Sandy's wonderful life will be on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 1:30 pm, and the Celebration location will be at Tom's Ham's Lighthouse located on Harbor Drive in San Diego later on November 20, 2021 at 10 am in Sandy's hometown in Wayne Pa. at the St. David Church.