Norlan Walker

Norlan G Walker, 81, passed away peacefully at home on a beautiful Christmas Day, December 25 2013, after a tremendous 10-year battle with Cancer, and after loving exchanges were received by every member of his family. He was born August 7, 1932 in Lyman, Wyoming, the oldest son of Glen Thurston and Doris Smith Walker. Raised in McKinnon, Wyoming until the age of 16, when the family moved to Vernal, Utah so that Norlan and his siblings could attend High School. A veteran of the Korean War, he later served in the Northwestern States Mission.
Upon his return, he was married to his Sweetheart, Sheron Rigby in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Norlan graduated from BYU in 1960 with degrees in Elementary Education, and Horticulture. They then made their home in Centerville for 40 years, where he began a 30+ year teaching career in the Davis County School District, first at Holbrook Elementary, then for many years at JA Taylor, and Boulton Elementary schools. Hundreds of now grown adults were greatly influenced by this wonderful man. Upon his retirement in 1990, he and his wife started a catering business often serving his famous Mexican food and “Walker Dessert”. Norlan fulfilled a lifelong dream by singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and had the opportunity to travel on tours to Japan and Scandinavia, as well as singing in two Presidential inaugurations. Throughout his life he was asked to sing in church services and funerals. Norlan loved to garden and always prized his annual vegetable gardens. He taught his children and grandchildren to grow gardens and to harvest and preserve the fruit and vegetables that were grown each year. He had a special love for the elderly, and would often take excess produce to widows in his neighborhood. He loved BYU Sports as well as fishing & camping with family and dear friends. Norlan was a lifelong active member of the LDS Church. A highlight of he and Sheron’s life was serving a mission as Directors of Member Locating in Australia. Upon their return he was called to serve as Bishop of the Centerville 5th Ward. He and Sheron spent 23 years as Church Service Missionaries, first in the member locating department, and then later in the Downwinder Program. They spent their lives serving The Lord, in any capacity that they were called. A humble man with conservative values, his greatest pride was his family. A father of 5, grandfather of 20, and great-grandfather of 11, he taught his children to serve The Lord and love one another.
He is survived by his Eternal companion of 56 years, and children Gyle & Suzi Walker (Castle Rock, CO.), Ryan & Lori Walker (Kaysville), Laurie & Brian Hahn (Centerville), Layne & Koreen Walker (Woods Cross), MaryAnn & Steve Rogers (Woods Cross), Foster Daughter, Virgie Murphy (Chambers, AZ), as well as siblings Glenna Collier & David Walker. Funeral services will be held at the Kaysville Rock Chapel on 200 East Center Street on Monday December 30th at Noon. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6-8pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 North Main, Farmington (across from Cherry Hill), as well as from 10:30-11:30am, Monday at the Rock Chapel prior to services. Interment will follow in the Centerville Cemetery. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Dr Regina Klein, Dr. William Lowrance, and Nurse Carolyn Butler for the tremendous care of their Father. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that donations be made to the General Missionary fund of the LDS church, or to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.