Joseph J. Walker, age 79, born March 18, 1933 in Detroit, MI, passed away Monday, January 21, 2013 in Grand Rapids. Joe was a veteran of the Korean War era and a 35 year employee of General Motors. After a well-deserved retirement, he was inspired to fight for social justice. He used his abundant intellect, curiosity, writing ability, and sense of humor to advocate tirelessly for peace, justice, and to make the world a better place for everyone. He was very active in national and local charities and advocacy organizations, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Pax Christi, and the OLLI program at Aquinas College. A long-time member of MENSA, Joe liked to read, write, tell jokes, and travel, but he loved time spent at the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Joe had friends of all ages and walks of life. But he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. In his spare time, he loved to garden and his yard was the pride of the neighborhood. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Irene (McCormick); son Joseph III; daughter, Karen Beecher and her husband Alan; sister, Marilyn Foley and her husband, Robert; stepson, Steven de Polo and his partner, Caroline Clark; stepdaughter, Lucy Lafleur and husband, Robert and his grandchildren, Benjamin, Simon, and Mark Lafleur and Qiqi and Lourdie Clark; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Janet McCormick, James and Marilyn McCormick, Connie McCormick, and Rev. Gerald McCormick. Funeral services will be Friday 1:00 PM at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo SE, Rev. Doug Van Doren, officiating. Visitation Thursday 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial gift to the Kent County Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous at 4920 Plainfield NE, Ste. 19, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 or Dégagé Ministries at 144 Division Avenue South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
