George Campbell Walker
George Campbell Walker, 99, of Othello, Wash., passed away July 21, 2025, in Spokane, Wash.
George was born in Lewisville, Idaho, on April 20, 1926, to parents George Boyes Walker and Ruth Campbell Walker. He grew up with four siblings: Margaret Walker (Jones), Ethyl Walker (Snell), Leone Walker (Howard) and Arnold Walker. George was raised on the family farm in Lewisville, learning about farming, horses and sports during the depression. After graduating from Midway High School in 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie Hart. Soon after, he was conscripted into the Army while WWII was raging. He was sent to the Philippines, where he served for two years until after the atomic bomb was dropped.
After military service, George attended Ricks College, where he played on the basketball team. He then started his own sand and gravel business in Lewisville, which was successful. He brought this same equipment to Othello in 1955 to help clear and level much of the farmland in the Columbia Basin, thus becoming one of those early pioneers. In the early 1960s, he developed his own business and fabricated his own equipment, pouring cement ditches for many of the farms in the Columbia Basin. He cleared and cultivated several acres to farm himself, as well as started a gravel business, all of which he managed until his final year.
George and Marie were the parents to nine children: Cheryl (Dennis) Cox, Othello; Shauna (Stephen) Allen, Mattawa, Wash.; Rhonda (Ron) Clark, Vacaville, Calif.; Ron (Jan) Walker, Othello; Eric (Lorraine) Walker, Othello; Rita (Lynn) Garner, Othello; Lorrie (Blair) Archibald, St. George, Utah; Brent (Beckie) Walker, Othello; Don (Carol) Walker, Springville, Utah. They raised their family in Othello in a busy, but happy home. They now have 48 grandchildren, 179 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
George was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Othello 1st Ward. He served in several capacities, including Bishopric Counselor and youth leader.
George loved sports and participated in boxing, track, basketball, water skiing, snow skiing and hunting. His favorite pastimes were working using his big equipment, flying his airplane, watching BYU sports and watching his grandchildren participate in sports.
He also served the community. One year, he dismantled the old community pool for the city of Othello with his own time and equipment, saving the community thousands of dollars. In recognition, he was presented with the key to the city by the mayor.
George was adventurous. He liked trying new sports, seeing new places and traveling to several countries. George is greatly admired by his large family and will be missed.
George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Walker, his wife, Marie, and sisters, Margaret Jones and Leone Howard, daughter-in-law Carol Walker, sons-in-law Stephen J. Allen, and Dennis M. Cox. He is survived by his children, a brother, Arnold Walker, and a sister, Ethyl Snell.
His services will be held Aug. 4, 2025, at the Othello LDS Stake Center, 12th and Ranier St., Othello. A viewing will take place that morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m., with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m.
Mueller’s Greenlee Funeral Home is managing arrangements for the family, and interment will take place at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens.
