John Walker

John Flanders Walker passed away at Maine Medical Center on Jan. 9, 2024, in his 96th year.

John was born Feb. 22, 1928, in Brookline Massachusetts, the son of Henry Marshall and Rosamond Flanders Walker. He was raised in Brookline and spent summers at “Nojidor,” his parent’s Cape Cod cottage in Harwich, Massachusetts. As a young man, John was active in community, church, and the Boy Scouts where he earned the Eagle Scout award. After graduation from Brookline High School, John matriculated to Harvard College.

In 1945, while a freshman at Harvard, he enlisted in the US Army. During World War II, he attended Fort Benning Jump School for paratrooper training for the US Airborne and then Fort Bragg for Officer’s School. After Japan’s surrender, John served with US occupation forces in Hachinohe, Japan. After completing his tour of duty, John returned home to graduate from Harvard College and then earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

John moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to accept a position in international sales at Clevite, an automobile engine parts manufacturer. He was introduced to Susan Ada Bauman at a tennis match with friends and romance ensued. They were married on Nov. 24, 1956, a union which lasted for 66 years. John and Sue set up their household in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where they raised three sons, John Jr., Robert, and Stephen. John traveled the world for business, initially to the Middle East and later to Central and South America for the Harris Corporation.

Despite his travel schedule, John was a dedicated husband and father. He passed on his love of Boy Scouting by becoming scoutmaster for Troop 867, and mentored many boys including his sons John Jr. and Robert. In retirement, John was very active in the communities of Kennebunk and Harwich. He served in local government on the Kennebunk Budget Board and the Tree Committee, and he was president of the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association and commodore of the Eagle Rock Yacht Club. As a lifetime member of the Mayflower Society, John proudly passed on stories of his Pilgrim forbearers to his sons and grandchildren. He had a great love of the outdoors, plants, trees, and gardening. His favorite place to be was working out in the yard.

John deeply loved his family. He was proud of his three sons and delighted in his grandchildren. He is survived by his sons John F. Walker Jr. and his wife Lisbeth Ghema Walker of San Diego, Robert P. B. Walker of Kennebunk, Stephen S. Walker of Brunswick; his four grandchildren Sebastian Walker, Qorichaska Walker, and Lucia Walker of San Diego, and Luke Walker of Brunswick. John was predeceased by his devoted wife Susan in June of 2023 and by his sister Rosamond Walker Fields.

Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, July 20, at 11 a.m. at Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit John’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.