John (Johnny) R. Walker Jr.

On Saturday, January 27, 2024, John R. Walker Jr. peacefully passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 84. John was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 15, 1940, to Laura Chun Walker and John R. Walker Sr. John spent most of his childhood in the Watsonville area and enlisted in the Navy, then came back, and met the love of his life, Jenny Fraga, in 1964 while “cruising Main Street”. They married a short time later and had their daughter Kim. In April they would have been married 59 years.

John worked for Ametek/Indalex for 40 years. He was a Reserve Firefighter for Watsonville Fire Department for 30 years. He was a Vietnam Veteran and a Life Member of VFW Post 1716 and a member of the American Legion. For many years he volunteered at the VFW Friday night dinners and called Bingo. He loved driving the fire truck during the 4th of July parade, dressed as Uncle Sam, Veteran’s Day Parade and WHS Homecoming Parade. He loved spending time at Watsonville Fire Department talking to his firehouse buddies. He was Secretary for the Firefighter’s Club. He would give tours of the fire museum and help at the annual BBQ for the opening day of the Fair.

John loved sports and his all-time favorite team was the 49ers. He kept saying that they would make it to the Superbowl, and they did – he just didn’t get to see the game.

John loved people and he had a great sense of humor…he always loved to leave people laughing. He loved his community and always had time to talk or lend a hand where needed. Whether John was walking at the Wetlands or just driving around town, he always had his constant companion, his little dog “Sushi.”

John had a saying he liked to leave people with….”God Bless America!”

John will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. John is survived by Jenny, his wife of 58 years and his daughter, Kim and Son-in-Law Tony Caguimbal. He also leaves behind his brother, Kirby Leong and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr and Laura, and sister Geneva Lingonfelter.

Funeral services will be held, 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, 609 Main Street Watsonville. Graveside services to follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park, 127 Hecker Pass Road, Watsonville. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer any donations to be made to the Watsonville Firefighters Association Museum Fund 115 Second Street Watsonville, CA 95076