Ronald Stanley Walker

Ronald Walker, 89, Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2017 at Sanford Health, Fargo.

Ron was born on September 10, 1928 in Minneapolis, MN to Stanley and Helen (Grapentine) Walker. He graduated high school in Luverne, MN. He attended Northwest Agriculture School, Crookston, MN. Ron farmed with his father in Crookston, MN, and was drafted into the US Army in 1952. He served as a medic in Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Lois Johnson in 1954. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree at Moorhead State Teacher’s College, and then his Master’s degree in education at Colorado State College. After teaching one year at Long Beach, CA, Ron then returned to Moorhead, and taught at Moorhead State College in Industrial Education until he retired in 1987. Concurrently with teaching, he owned and operated a successful metal working and tool manufacturing business, Fireball Enterprises.

Ron’s other interests included: sailing, farming, fishing, camping, traveling, woodworking, pond building, mechanical and small engine repair, backgammon, computer building and repair, gardening and plant propagation, photography, guitar, Bible studies and church planting.

Ron will be missed by his wife of 32 years, Arlene (DeJong); his children and step-children, Pamela (Jon) Johnson, Debra Walker, Rebekah (Daniel) Nelson, John (Deb) Walker, Ivan Walker, Debra (Michael) Beckett, Philip (Barbara) Schwalm, Miriam (Brian) Hermes, Gloria Gillerstein; 23 grandchildren, Joshua Johnson, Wendy Tenney, Benjamin Walker, Leah Nelson, Matthew Nelson, Luke Walker, Adam Walker, Tommy Lemming, Savannah Walker, Joseph Walker, Bobbi Jo Siegel, Rachel Moszer, Aimee Beckett, Jacob Franklin, Kristen Franklin, John Hermes, Mark Hermes, Amanda Driscoll, Alicia Block, Brittany Lingbeck, Kristen Gillerstein, Cory Gillerstein, Maggie Gillerstein; and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Darlene (Roger) Castleberg, and Joyce Dudley.

He was preceded in death by his parents.