Earl E. Walker passed away Friday evening on August 26, 2011. He died peacefully while in the presence of two of his daughters, Mary and Nance, son-in-law, Alan, and his favorite dog, Dana. Earl's family held a private funeral on August 29. Earl is survived by his bride of 68 years, Myrtle Walker, and was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, as well as a friend and brother to many.

The Walker Family will be hosting a celebration of Earl's life on Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 PM at the Theatre at Kirkwood High School (801 W. Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122). All are invited to wear green - a trademark favorite color of Earl's.

Per Mr. Walker's Family, memorial contributions requested for Mr. Walker are as follows:

Earl E. Walker Scholarship:

Ranken Technical College, 4431 Finney Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63113; www.ranken.edu

Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders:

3632 Olive St., St. Louis, Missouri 63108; www.srclinic.org

Earl Ernest Walker attended Ranken Technical College in St Louis and went on to work for Curtis Wright Aircraft Co., which later became McDonnell Aircraft Company. Earl and his wife Myrtle founded Carr Lane Manufacturing in 1952 in their garage in Kirkwood. Through long hours and tireless work, Earl and Myrtle built the fledgling operation into a global, multi-million dollar company providing parts to the automotive, appliance, furniture and aerospace industries as well as all four branches of the military.

In addition to their business, the Walkers have been involved in their local church, community and charities. They are members of the Trinity Lutheran Church where Earl served on the Church Council and the original site and building committee. Earl served on the St. Louis Board of Lutheran Churches and helped the Triumph Church. He was an active member of the Kirkwood Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, the Girl Scouts with Myrtle and sat on numerous boards, including Commerce Bancshares, Inc., Ranken Technical College, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Educational Fund, Maryville University and the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders.

Both Earl and Myrtle are philanthropists to the core and especially focus on initiatives for children. They sponsored scholarships at both Kirkwood and Maplewood-Richmond Heights High Schools. Earl and Myrtle funded an endowed professorship in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University and an endowed scholarship at University of Texas at Austin and the Myrtle E. Walker Scholarship Fund at the School of Art at Washington University. Both Earl and Myrtle have been steadfast supporters of SSM St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood and now the new SSM St. Clare Health Center in Fenton.

Walker Scottish Rite Clinic Vice Chairman, Edward Kellogg, remembers his friend Earl as "an icon that has passed but a legacy that will live on." Ed also reflected that Earl was the eternal gentleman and friend and would often look you in the eye; shake your hand and say, "thank you for being my friend." Earl was a man full of humility and concern for others.  

Earl and Myrtle had a particular affinity for Kirkwood High's Science Department as they met in Biology Class at Kirkwood High School before marrying in 1942. In 2008, the Walkers were the key underwriters for the new Kirkwood High School Science Building with state of the art equipment to help Kirkwood's students. The Walkers have also been instrumental in many other additions and improvements on the Kirkwood High School Campus.

Earl was also a member of the Kirkwood Masonic Lodge #484, an Honorary Member of DeMolay International, and was bestowed the Grand Cross of the Scottish Rite, the highest honor of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. Through the tireless efforts of Earl, Myrtle, Les Denney and many Scottish Rite Brothers, the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders was founded in 1988, and has served over 15,000 St. Louis area children to date with speech and language disorders.

In 2010, Earl and Myrtle made a gift to Maryville University to help underwrite a new Health Professions building, Walker Hall. Upon completion of this building the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic will expand into Walker Hall on the University Campus with an anticipated opening in 2013. The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic currently serves children in midtown St. Louis at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, at two Head Start locations in St. Louis City, and at the outreach sites in Crystal City, Elsberry, and Union, MO. In addition, the University will add a graduate curriculum for Speech Language Pathology as part of the Clinic partnership.

While Earl was generous with both time and money, he prided himself on his relationships with people of all walks of life. He firmly believed that being on a board or committee meant more than just having your name there, but doing the work as well.

Both together and independently, Earl and his wife Myrtle are that special breed of people that live their life to the fullest, work hard, give often and nurture lifelong friendships and take care of others in need.

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