Grandpa Jack

Jack Hamlin Walker

Jack Hamlin Walker 1915 ~ 2008 Jack Walker, age 92 died on January 28, 2008 in Sandy. He was born on May 23, 1915, in San Diego to Rowland and Marion Walker. He married Edith Roncarati on July 1, 1939, in Burlingame, CA. Jack was an avid sports and outdoorsman. He was a pioneer Utah skier who worked on the construction of Ecker Hill, site of numerous world-class ski jumping events. During the '30s he was a class "A" ski jumper. He remained an active skier until he was 89 competing in many of the locally sponsored events and often winning in his class. He was a member of the Wild Bunch, but his closest skiing companion, from age 10 on, was his friend Vern Nichol. Jack had a passion for Western history and poetry written by Kipling, Service and Noyes. He reveled in the lives of men like Jedadiah Smith, Jim Bridger and in many ways he was a Mountain Man trapped in the 20th Century. Jack is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edith, two daughters, Judith (Stephen) Lea Vell of Alamo, CA; Pamela Hamon of Long Island, NY; four sons, David (Tina) of Sandy, UT; Michael (Michelle) of Sandy UT; John (Rose) of River Falls, WI; Steven (Laural) of Logan, UT; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. There will be a vigil and rosary at Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Dr., Thursday Jan. 31, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral mass will be on Friday, Feb. 1, at 10:30 a.m., Blessed Sacrament Parrish, 1745 East 9800 So. Sandy. Friends may call one hour before. Jack will be interred at Holladay Memorial Park. SINNER THAT I HAVE BEEN, HEAVEN HAS REJECTED ME AND HELL CAN'T WAIT TO GET ME. BUT, WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER I'LL SKI THERE TOO!

I lost my grandpa on Monday night, and will miss him very much! His sweet spirit and excitement for life was contageous. He was a great skier and I wish that I had the opportunity to ski with him one more time. We love you grandpa!