Deward Edgar Walker III, or Ed as he most commonly went by, passed away in his home in Federal Heights, Colorado in December of 2022.
Known as a good man to everyone he met, Ed left a lasting positive impact on the world.
Quiet and close with his true feelings, Ed wasn't an openly affectionate person but could be deeply compassionate when someone needed him. Whether it was holding the hand of his scared sister on her first turbulent flight, or attending his sister's commitment ceremony, Ed was always there in his way for the ones he loved. According to his closest friends, Ed always had a gift for knowing what to say to make someone feel better, and that gift will be sorely missed.
In addition to his compassion, Ed was known for his mechanical and teaching abilities. Very few people who knew Ed got away without some valuable lesson on how to fix things in the most affordable and effective way. From cars to appliances, there was very little that Ed couldn't fix. Ed excelled in his jobs as a machine operator and foreman because of his blend of mechanical expertise and his empathetic management style. A forever mountain man, Ed was also known for his skills in the outdoors including catching fish by hand from creeks, hunting small and large game, and general survival skills. With his beloved cats and dogs being his second family, Ed was known for always having many animal companions who adored him. These animals followed Ed around in a pack, and they became part of a lore that forever kept them in the minds of those who knew Ed.
As well as being an adored friend, sibling, and dog pack leader, Ed was a father. As a father, Ed was loving and shared tremendous knowledge. With a degree in political science and an insatiable love of learning, Ed taught his daughter about everything from political theory to history to astronomy.
While many did not know this, Ed was a talented artist as well.
Though his artistic work was limited in quantity, the drawings and paintings he did are treasured by his daughter and those who are lucky enough to have them. Ed was a very laid back person, who did not need anything fancy in life.
His priorities were less about possessions and more about getting out to do things. If you hung out with Ed, it was never going to be boring. With very few people he did not get along with, Ed leaves heartbroken friends and family who will never be able to fill the hole that losing Ed has left. Ed is survived by his daughter, Lindsay Walker, his parents, Barbara and Deward, his stepmother Candace, siblings, Mary Jane, Sarah, Alice, Dan, and Joe, and his friends including his lifelong friend Chris Walsh. Ed will be missed tremendously.
A note from his daughter: "I loved my father more than I can ever express. Like any parent and child we had our issues, but him and I were more similar than a father and daughter should be.
This was likely the reason we sometimes butted heads. I even walked into an auto parts store near his house once and had the cashier exclaim "Wow!
You must be Ed's daughter. You look just like him!". While I'd prefer to not be known as looking like a 6'3', 250 pound man, she was right to note our similarities. My father made me into the person I am today, and I will be forever thankful for that. Losing a parent is so difficult, but in losing my father I have also lost the person who understood me better than anyone else, because I was made from the same cloth that he was - for better or worse. I have lost my debate partner, my protector, the thorn in my side (as he could sometimes be), my friend, my classic rock buddy, my teacher, and the person I looked up to the most throughout my life. There are no words that will ever describe this type of loss. I hope the world remembers my father Ed for the spectacularly unique, loving, and interesting person that he was."