Steve Walters, Jr.

Fletcher Stephens (Steve) Walters, Jr. of Highlands Ranch, Colorado passed away April 28, 2017 peacefully in his sleep, at age 94. Steve was born on October 1, 1922 to the late Fletcher Stephens Walters Sr. and Floy Virginia Carter Walters in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Steve grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas and graduated from Texarkana AR High School in 1940. He spent one year at Texarkana Jr College, then went to Rice University; his college years were interrupted by WW II, when in 1943, when he joined the Naval Air Corps and became a flight instructor. After the War he finished his Pre-med BA degree at Rice and subsequent post graduate work in Business Administration at the University of Texas and University of Colorado. In 1949 Steve became an Administrative resident at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo Texas. He became the Administrator and CEO of the Hospital from 1951 to 1974. He met his Wife Frances Lee Springer at Northwest Texas Hospital where she was the Director of Nurses. They were married for 45 years until her death in 1995. Steve was very active in the Texas Hospital Association serving as President of the THA from 1959-60. In 1990 Steve was awarded the Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Texas Hospital Association. He was appointed to the Texas Retirement board in 1967 by Governor John Connolly. He was the first hospital administrator to build a County Owned Psychiatric hospital. Steve was one of the only non-doctors to be awarded the honor of a Chair from Texas Tech Medical School for his help expanding their program. One of his last projects was to help design the Amarillo Medical Center. In 1974 he moved to Bay City, Texas to run the Matagorda County Hospital District until he retired. While living in Bay City, Steve enjoyed sailing and photography. He was also active in civic activities including Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. Steve married Anna Lee Haring in 1995, and she died in 2006. Steve moved to Highlands Ranch CO in 2007 into Wind Crest where he made many friends. He played cornet in a jazz band at Rice and played in the Wind Crest Band. He taught opera appreciation at Wind Crest as well. Steve was also an author, writing a book titled “Toxic Babies” which was written to address the effect of violence on pregnant women and their babies.

Steve is survived by his sister Betty Jo Walters Grace of Texarkana, AK; her son Otis Lumpkin and his wife Alane Hall of Dallas, TX; and her daughter Dr. Libby Lumpkin and her husband Dave Hickey of Albuquerque, NM. Steve is also survived by his three children Virginia Lee Fickman, Fletcher Stephens Walters III, and John Carter Walters. Virginia Fickman and her husband Bruce Fickman of Pittsburg, PA and their children: Jason Fickman of Dallas, TX; Erin McNabb and her husband Jared McNabb, and their son Pierce of Houston, TX; and Mark Fickman of Pittsburg, PA. Fletcher Stephens Walters III and his wife Lou Walters of Littleton, CO and their children: Emily Brisnehan and her husband Bradley Brisnehan and daughter Margot of Littleton, CO; Scott Walters with Morgan Zimmerman and their son Logan of Littleton, CO; Melissa Walters of Littleton, CO; John Walters and his wife Eugenie Edmonds of Austin, TX and their daughter: Sarah Walters of Austin, TX. Steve had a step-son Lee Haring of Bellarie, TX and two step-grandchildren Zacary and Robert Haring of Bay City, TX. Steve and Frances had many good friends. Joe and Mary Ann Peacock were very special friends who both have passed away, however they are survived by their children who have been as close to Steve as his own children: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock and her husband Barrett Karr and daughter: Lara Karr of Austin, TX; Dr. Joel Peacock and his wife Dr. Lesley LeFevre and their children: Daniel Peacock and Jordan Peacock of Centennial, CO.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Steve’s honor to Project C.U.R.E.