Dustin A. Walker

WALKER, Dustin "Dusty" A., 56, of Indialantic, Fla., passed away October 9, 2003, after a valiant battle with cancer. His family was at his side. Dusty was born April 4, 1947, in Atlanta, Ga., and as a young child, moved with his family to Tampa, where he graduated from H.B. Plant High School in 1965. Dusty moved to Indialantic, Brevard County, in 1997, from his childhood home of Tampa. He loved sports. Starting as a youngster, he played baseball in the Little League through Pony League. He then played football in high school and softball as a young adult. He was a league bowler as well. He was a charter season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and supported them through thick and thin. Even though he could not be at the big game this year, with his Indialantic football crowd, he watched the Buc's triumph in the 2003 Super Bowl. His easygoing, gregarious nature led to a career in bowling center management, where he managed the Dale Mabry Lanes, Regal Lanes, and Crown Bowling Center, respectively. He later became a sales and route representative for a national bread company. His happy nature and comedic one-liners brightened the days of his many customers and friends. He was a best friend as well as "Pops" to his sons, Darren and Duane of Tampa, who survive him. Dusty is also survived by his sisters, Lynn Mitchell of Indialantic, Fla., and Lise Walker of Mattoon, Ill.; an aunt and uncle, Jackie and Roy Walker of Hull, Ga.; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen P. Walker and his maternal grandmother, Eupha Seaver, both long-time residents of Tampa. Graveside memorial services will be held in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park in the Garden of Memories in Tampa, October 25, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund in Dusty's name or to a favorite charity. Brownlie-Maxwell F.H.