- Name: Jeffrey "Jeff" Thomas Walker
- Location of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: November 20, 1954
- Date of Death: April 3, 2024 (69 years old)
- Parents: Joseph Walker and Mary Ann (Scanlan) Walker
- High School and Class: 1972 - Coon Rapids High School, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
- College: 1979 - St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota (Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting)
- Highest Rank: SGT (Sergeant)
- Branch: Air Force
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: August 12, 1972
- Place Sworn In: Minneapolis Federal Building
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge: Grand Forks Air Force Base
-
Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served August, 1972 Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas November, 1972 December, 1972 Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi December, 1972 March, 1974 United States Air Force Special Operations, Panama City, Panama March, 1974 May, 1975 Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, North Dakota May, 1975 May, 1976 Air Force Reserves, Minneapolis Air Force Base - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
At the age of 17, Jeff enlisted in the United States Air Force and served active duty for three years and an additional year in the Guards.
Information on back of Operator License:
Restrictions
1. Automobile
2. School Bus
3. Trucks Not over 4 tons
4. All Single Unit Trucks
5. Tandem Trucks
6. Motorcycles
7. Motorbike-Minibike-Scooter
8. Forklift
9. All Motor Vehicles
CODE
A. Valid only if proper eyeglasses worn.
B. OK for hauling explosives
C. Daylight operation only, 1/2 hour after sunrise ending 1/2 hour before sunset
D. Special equipment attached to vehicle
- Wars Involved:
Vietnam Era - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Jeff was the youngest of five children.
After an honorable discharge, Jeff continued his education at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1979.
While at St. Cloud State, he met Anne Sheehy and they married on March 3, 1979 at Saint Thomas Catholic Church in International Falls, Minnesota. Soon after, they started a family and followed their dreams of building a life and family in northern Minnesota.
In 1981, they moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota where Jeff worked as the controller of the Rajala Companies and later started his own Certified Public Accountant firm. While operating this private CPA practice, he was elected to serve on the Cohasset City Council for four years, then elected for two terms as the Mayor of Cohasset. While serving on the City Council, Jeff was proud to contribute to the building of Portage Park, Tioga Beach, purchasing and developing the Industrial Park, and building the city's natural gas system. In 2006, he was elected as the Itasca County Auditor/Treasurer. He felt honored to hold this elected position for four terms, retiring in January, 2023.
Jeff was extremely proud of his family - Anne, his children, and grandchildren. His greatest joys in life were being surrounded by his family and friends. He loved to participate in all his children's and grandchildren's activities. Jeff enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, riding his Harley, lunch with the guys, coffee groups, and spending time at his home on Pokegama Lake. He was a lifetime learner of American, World, and church history. Jeff met weekly with his Cursillo group at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and was very devout in his Catholic faith.
He is preceded in death by his grandson, Dylan Joseph Walker, and his parents, Joseph and Mary Ann Walker.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anne, their four children, Bridget Walker, Molly Walker, Rory Walker, and Kevin Walker; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter; his sisters and brothers, Mary Jo Durden, Janice (Dave) Olson, Steven Walker, and Patrick (Louise) Walker; brothers-in law and sisters-in law, Terry Sheehy, Maureen (Rich) Messerich, Tim (Jane) Sheehy, Molly (Murray) Gushulak, Shawn (Caroline) Sheehy, Daniel Sheehy, and Neil (Julie) Sheehy; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Jeff died at his home in Cohasset, Minnesota. He is buried in Wildwood Cemetery at Cohasset, Minnesota. - Tribal Affiliation(s):