Arnold Walker Obituary (1954 - 2015)

Arnold J. Walker, 61, Fort Yates, North Dakota, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 13, 2015, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Fort Yates, North Dakota with Father John Paul Gardner officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 5-7:00 PM with a Rosary service beginning at 6:00 PM, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Fort Yates, North Dakota. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Crazy Walking Cemetery, Fort Yates. Arnold was born April 11, 1954 at Fort Yates, North Dakota, to Charles and Luella (Frank) Walker. He was raised in rural Fort Yates, ND on "Walker Bottom". He was educated in Chamberlain, SD and graduated from Fort Yates High School in 1972. He graduated with his two-year degree in Farm and Ranch Management from Standing Rock Community College. He served in the United States Army from 1972-1975, his primary specialty was in auto mechanics and he also specialized in diesel engines and repairs. While in the Army he was stationed in Fort Collins, CO and Kaiserslautern, Germany. He earned a National Defense Service Medal and he held honors in Sharp Shooter M16 and Expert Badge Grenade. He made the choice to return home from the Army so that he could help maintain the family cattle business with his mother. He married Mary Beth Gayton on December 18, 1987, a marriage that was later blessed by the Catholic Church. From this union with Mary Beth, he had two special daughters that he loved and cared for very much. Arnold was very hard working and taught his daughters about the value of hard work and honesty. He was a custodian at the Standing Rock High School and he later began working for the Indian Health Service in 1986, where he became the Housekeeping Supervisor and coordinated dialysis transportation for many years. He enjoyed his work and loved to laugh with and tease his many co-workers and he was nicknamed "Chief" by them. Arnold loved the peace of being in the country and he enjoyed caring for his horses and his cattle. He lived his entire life working on the family ranch - it was something that he truly enjoyed. He believed in Native ranchers; he often did whatever he could to teach others about starting their own businesses and shared the ins-and-outs of the industry. He enjoyed reading and watching the news; he was very knowledgable about everything and if you asked him a question he would know the answer. During his evenings Arnold would spend hours on the internet researching various tractors and keeping up to date on all the newest and innovative ranching equipment. Arnold enjoyed football season very much; he followed his favorite team, the Vikings, all throughout the year. Arnold loved to spend time visiting with his family and he often told old stories of his childhood. He was a very compassionate person, always willing to help those in need. He had an honest sense of humor that could make anyone laugh and his jokes will be remembered for many years to come. He will be missed by his co-workers, friends, family and all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth; four daughters, Shauna (Jerren) Elk, Nacole Walker (Lawrence Luger), Janna Walker, all of Fort Yates, Miranda Little Bear, Kenel; sister, Cheryl (Jesse "Jay") Taken Alive, McLaughlin; brother, Martin (Mary) Walker, Fort Yates; brother-in-law Robert Harris, San Antonio; one aunt, Ann Vermillion, McLaughlin; his special cousins Kathy Vallee, Carol Sanders, Mike Faith, Joyce Claymore, James Walker, Reva Walker, and Tracy Vermillion; numerous nieces, nephews, and "Papa Jim's" grandchildren; and his special granddaughters Charlee Walker and Kiyela Claymore. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Luella (Frank) Walker; two brothers Robert Walker and Ralph (Alice) Walker; one sister Wanda Harris; his grandparents; nephew Derek Walker; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also had a special, four-legged friend, Kirby Walker. Please sign his guestbook and share memories at www.dawiseperry.com. Funeral arrangements are being made with DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan, North Dakota.