Obituary of Donald Walker

Donald (Don) Earl Walker, Sr., an Air Force Veteran and retired chemist, passed away on November 6, 2024, from complications of pneumonia. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Dawn Rodman Walker, three children and their spouses (Amy Rodman Little and her husband Clark; Donnie and his wife Jeanne; and Lori Rodman Mahaney and her husband Jim).  He also leaves behind six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a brother (Gary), and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife Sheila McMichen, his brother Tom Walker, and his parents Wilford and Mary Walker.

Don was born in Manchester, Maryland on Dec 7, 1940, and raised in the small town of Glenville, Pennsylvania, where he grew up with his two younger brothers, who always remained his closest friends. Upon graduation from Hanover High School in 1958, Don joined the US Air Force and served as a Radio Operator in Crete, Greece and in Wiesbaden, Germany.  He then married his first wife, Sheila McMichen of Savannah, Georgia in 1963 and soon after Donnie was born. Sheila passed away in 1967, and Don returned to Glenville to attend Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland (now McDaniel College) and received his BA in Chemistry in 1970. 

After completing his degree, he remarried in 1970 to his Hanover High School classmate Dawn (Miller) Rodman Walker, who had two daughters (Amy and Lori) from her previous marriage.  The newly formed “Brady Bunch” family, along with their dog Shelly, packed up their gold Pontiac station wagon and moved to Hendersonville, NC where Don started a career as a chemist with DuPont. He worked there from 1970-83 and maintained close friendships with many of the “DuPonters” for the rest of his life. Don loved the outdoors and spent many days exploring the DuPont State Forest and its waterfalls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Pisgah National Forest. He also loved fishing on the barrier islands of North Carolina, chopping endless amounts of wood for his Buck Stove, working in his yard, and tinkering with his cars.  He was actively involved in the Hendersonville community, serving as Cubmaster of the local Cub Scout Pack, teaching Sunday School at Trinity Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Elks Club.

In 1983 Don was severely injured in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic, which changed his and Dawn’s lives forever, but did not keep them from living full and rich lives. He and Dawn continued to travel often to the beach using his handicapped equipped van. Despite his disability, he also continued to be active in the community, serving as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for 8 years. Most of all though, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and was actively involved in all their lives. 

Don lived as a quadriplegic for 41 years, nearly half his life, yet he never dwelt upon his disability. He adored his wife Dawn and was grateful for her love and nursing care. He lived a life of kindness, love and selflessness. He showed courage and resilience in the face of incredible hardship, and was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a remarkable man.

Donations can be made to:

Friends of Dupont Forest online at www.dupontforest.com

or by check at:

Friends of Dupont Forest

PO Box 218

Hendersonville, NC  28793

Please be sure to write “Donald Walker” in the comment box when donating!