Obituary of Donald Ray Walker

Donald Ray Walker, 67, of Clarksburg passed away at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township on Sunday, February 11, 2018.  He was born in Pocahontas, Mississippi and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.  Donald had lived in Bayside, Queens and Neptune before settling in Clarksburg in the late 1970’s.  A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, he served during the Vietnam War.  Donald received his bachelor’s degree from Jersey City State College and his master’s degree from Monmouth University.  Working at Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick for over twenty-five years, he retired as the Director of Information Technology.  Prior to that, Donald had worked for Continental Insurance in Neptune. 

Along with his wife, Pat, Donald had a passion for RVing and had traveled across the lower 48 and Canada.  He was a member of the Family Motor Coach Association, Monoco International and the Diesel R.V. Club.  A thirst for travel brought Donald to become a member of the National Geographic Society Tours and Linblad Expeditions, adventuring to Alaska, Africa, South America, and the Galapagos Islands.  In addition, he traveled to the North and South Poles where he participated in both polar plunges and the Baja peninsula, to pet the grey whales.  A true renaissance man, Donald dabbled in cooking, had an eye for photographing wildlife, touring with his motorcycle, and listening to blues music.  He truly enjoyed the time he spent with the Johnson & Johnson Retiree Club.  Donald had an appetite for exercise, especially walking.  Most of all, he reveled in spoiling his wife.  

Donald was predeceased by his parents, Louey and Myrtle Walker; five brothers; four sisters and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Klimcsak.   He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Patricia A. Walker; daughter, Dawn Walker and her daughter; siblings, Jean Neal, Herbert Walker and his wife, Alberta, William Walker and his late wife, Elizabeth, Willie Walker and his wife, Beverly and Melcenia Williams and her husband, Gregory; father-in-law, Edward Klimcsak; dear friends, Ron and Jodi Johnson; and a numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and good friends. 

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, February 18, 2018 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM funeral service at the funeral home on Monday, February 19, 2018.   Interment will be private.  For those who desire, memorial contributions in Donald’s name may be made to either:  The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, 200 Pottersville Road, Chester, NJ 07930  or  the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, PO Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625.   For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.