Harold R "Pete" Walker, PhD

Dr. Harold “Pete” Walker, PhD

Age 94, of Navarre, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.  He was born on a family farm near Louisville, OH, on February 5, 1927, to the late Donald and Della (Oyster) Walker.  He was a 1945 graduate of Louisville High School and immediately entered the United States Army.  He served in the Adjutant General’s Department in Germany and Austria.  Dr. Walker received his Bachelor’s Degree from Mount Union College in 1950 and his Masters Degree from Kent State University in 1954.  He received his PhD from The Ohio State University, graduating in 1967.  He began his professional career as a teacher and guidance counselor at Canton South High School.  He served as Principal of Amos McDannel Elementary School and both Harter and Worley Schools in Canton City.  Dr. Walker’s public school service also included being Superintendent of Canton Local Schools, Louisville City Schools and the Canton City School District.  He chose to spend part of his career in higher education, and served Malone College as a Professor in Education and Behavioral Sciences, Chairman of The Division of Education and Psychology, and as Executive Vice President of the College.  He was also for many years a part-time staff member of the Ohio School Boards Association as Regional Secretary for Northeast Ohio.  Dr. Walker received many recognitions and professional awards.   The first Junior High School in Canton Local School District was named in his honor in 1962, and he was inducted into the Canton South Hall of Fame in 2020.  He was a recipient of the Phi Delta Kappa Award for Educational Leadership.  Both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions for his service in Ohio.  Dr. Walker served over thirty years on the Canton District YMCA Board of Trustees, and was a member of the YMCA Heritage Foundation.  He was a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church and was an active member of Otterbein United Methodist Church.  He owned race horses and was a member of the United States Trotting Association.  He kept a horse and carriage at an Amish farm in Holmes County for many years and had many good friends among the Amish and visited them often.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Beatrice Petty and brothers, Russell and Robert Walker.  Dr. Walker is survived by his wife, Carolyn Walker, with whom he would have celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary on March 22nd, two sons, James (Marlene) Walker, and Timothy (Dianne) Walker, a step-daughter, Alisa (Brian) Radcliffe, three grandsons, Christopher (Jamey) Walker, Chad (Cassie) Walker, and Shawn (Melissa) Walker, granddaughter, Katelyn (Joshua) Gilbert, and eight great-grandchildren, his brother, Richard (Carolyn) Walker, a sister-in-law, Doris Walker, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A family only service will be held Tuesday in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with Pastor Peggy Garner officiating.  There will be no visitation.  Interment will be in Ft. Laurens Cemetery in Bolivar with Military Honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Malone University Development Fund at 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44709, or Harold R. Walker Elementary School at 3525 Sandy Ave. SE, Canton, OH 44707.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 456-4766

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