Rexford Arthur Walker

Rexford Arthur Walker, 91, passed away at Manor Care in West Des Moines on January 30, 2013. His passing was peaceful and family was at his side.

His lifetime spanned years of war and economic hardship, and, like everyone, he endured his share of tragedy and loss and joy and celebration. What his family remembers is a gentle, intelligent man who valued family and work and the company of friends, a wonderful storyteller and card player, a lover of music, art, movies, laughter, and good conversation.

Rex was born in Des Moines on September 18, 1921. He was the son of Charles Benford Walker and Florence Eulala Cruzen. He graduated from Ankeny High School in 1938, and from Drake University with a degree in chemistry in 1946. He was employed at Penn Dixie Cement and FS Services, before working for the State of Iowa in the department of Natural Resources Air Quality division. He retired from the state in 1990.

Rex worked for a time at Boyt Harness in Des Moines, where he met the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Winona Walker, who passed in 2009 at age 87.

He came from a farming family, and his parents worked hard in very tough times to provide for their children. Along the way, they taught the values of family, work, and learning that defined Rex’s life. All but one of his siblings earned college degrees. They became teachers and scientists and farmers for whom learning was a lifelong joy, and they passed these values along to their children.

Rex once told a story in which his mother expressed concern to his teacher. “He’s always reading,” she said. His teacher replied, “Let him read!” Rex loved the written word and all kinds of books because he was a man who had a lifelong engagement with ideas. And he was a sophisticated reader who could surprise us with his choices. A cherished memory for his sons Ed and Miff involves a trip to Chicago in the early 1990’s to hear a reading by the poet Allen Ginsberg. Rex thoroughly loved the experience, and later talked about it joyfully over burgers at Applebee’s. Loving Ginsberg’s poetry was just another way Rex showed that he was open to many ways of seeing the world.

His children remember a father who always supported them, through all the mistakes and mismanagement of their youth, all the things children battle that parents try to fix. Whatever we needed he would try to provide. He never wanted anything but the best for his children. And how forgiving he was of the times we forgot to be thankful enough for all he did for us.

He is survived by his daughter, Roxanna Greenfield of West Valley City, Utah; sons, Mifflin Walker (Holly) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Edward Walker of Clive, Iowa, and by his son-in-law John Williams also of Clive, Iowa. Two siblings also survive him, Charlotte Smith of Indianola, Iowa, and Glen Walker of Ankeny, Iowa. Rex had five grandchildren: Don Greenfield of West Valley City, Utah, Alex Greenfield of Magna, Utah, Nicholas Walker of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jennifer DeFord (Ronnie) of Monroe, Iowa, and Julie Siek (Jon) of Waukee, Iowa. He had eight great-grandchildren: John, Chaz, Katie, Hailie, Ronald, Henry, Calvin, and Teddy, and one great-great grandchild, Aurora Alice, who is three months old. Rex also had many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway from 5-7 p.m., on Sunday, Feb 3. Services will be held Monday, Feb 4 at noon, at Hamilton’s. Rex will be buried next to his wife at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

His family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Manor Care for the loving care they gave Rex. We are so very thankful for you.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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