Dr. Jack D. Walker M.D.

Dr. Jack Walker passed away at his home on September 1, 2005. He was born April 5, 1922 to William S. and Maude Walker in Girard, Kansas. He attended Pittsburg State University then graduated from the University of Arizona following four years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, during World War II. Dr. Walker graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1953. He practiced family medicine for eight years in Girard and Pittsburg before returning to the University of Kansas Medical Center as Associate Dean. Because of his reputation as a consummate family doctor who practiced with kindness and common sense, he was asked, and accepted a position, to establish a Department of Family Medicine at the Medical Center in 1963. Subsequently, he was appointed Chairman of the Department and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1986. Dr. Walker was honored by his peers as University of Kansas Medical Center Alumnus of the Year in 1989. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Walker was very active in political and civic affairs in Johnson County and in the State of Kansas. He served as Mayor of Overland Park from 1971 to 1977. He presided over the City's affairs during a time of rapid growth and development. Observers frequently commented on his ability to remain composed even in pressure filled encounters. He evoked a high degree of public trust and conducted himself with great civility. A few of the numerous roles he played as Mayor included the naming of College Boulevard; establishing the Deanna Rose Farmstead, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, the Legacy of Greenery Committee; and served as President of the Kansas League of Municipalities. Much of the City's long range planning for streets and highways occurred during his tenure. He served as Kansas State Senator from 1984 to 1986. He went on to serve as Kansas Lieutenant Governor from 1987 until 1991. During these active years he also served on the boards of various economic and charitable organizations, including a term as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Chairman of the State Emergency Response Commission. Other involvements included the Ozanam Home for Boys, the Foundation on Aging and numerous public education groups, youth character building organizations and his church. He was truly a servant of his family, friends and community. A close friend describes Dr. Walker's greatness in this way - "Greatness does not consist in commanding others for us; greatness consists in doing things for others. Service alone is the badge of greatness." Dr. Walker was happily married to his wife of 58 years, Jo Ann. Together, they spent time in the company of family and friends and have always been the caregivers for those in need. They had two sons, R. Daniel Walker, D.V.M. of Farmington, New Mexico and James David Walker who preceded him in death. In addition, Dr. Walker is also survived by two grandsons, Dustin Dylan Walker and Jacob D. Walker, both of Lawrence, Kansas and a brother-inlaw, the Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Jones of Sacramento, California. Dr. Walker was a member of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church and the Rotary Club of Overland Park. For many years he was a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Kansas Medical Society, and the Wyandotte County Medical Society. Services will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at the Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church. Visitation following service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ozanam Home for Boys, the Johnson County Foundation on Aging, or the Salvation Army's Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. (Arr; D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 913-451-1860).