Graham Walker

TEMPE – Graham Albert Walker was an only child born in Phoenix, Arizona to Reverend George and Ruth Walker on May 22, 1932. During Graham’s first five years he and his parents lived on the Salt River Reservation where his father worked as a missionary to Native Americans. Graham later lived on the Pima-Maricopa Reservation, attending grade school in both Sacaton and Skull Valley, Arizona. He later attended Wasatch Academy in Utah. When his father became President of Cook College and Theological School, the family moved to Phoenix and Graham graduated from North High School. Graham received his AA degree from Phoenix College and went on to ASU where he graduated in 1954 with a BS in Marketing Management and was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. Since then, Graham has loved all things related to Cook School as well as to ASU. Graham’s character development was influenced by his childhood on the reservations and by his parents’ examples of service through Cook School. When the US military called him into service, Graham answered and served in Japan from 1955 to 1957 in the Counter Intelligence Corps. Graham had an excellent sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller. A ten year marriage to Margaret Hunter included the births of Graham’s two children, Janet Nissly (Randall) and Paul Walker (Cindi). Graham has five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In 1967 Graham met Barbara Glass of St. Louis; their 54th wedding anniversary was May 4, 2022. Graham’s career included working 33 years for First Interstate Bank of Arizona which today is Wells Fargo, eventually serving as a Vice President and Branch Manager. He furthered his education, graduating from the American Institute of Banking with a certificate in commercial banking and also graduating from the National Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma. Upon retirement Graham became both a fiduciary and part time development director at Cook College and Theological School in Tempe. Graham had extensive involvement in various community organizations including Rotary, Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale Chambers of Commerce and Tempe and Mesa United Way. Graham has served on the Boards of Directors at Cook School, Mesa Southwest Museum Foundation and Pinal County Development as well as on Hearthstone and Good Shepherd Villa Advisory Boards. Within the Presbyterian Church Graham has served as Deacon and was ordained as an Elder in 1970. He was an usher captain for at least 25 years and served on various administrative commissions for Presbytery. Many were entertained by his escapades as a talent show emcee and by his forays into dramatic presentations at church. Graham was a savvy businessman who had a continued interest in all things financial throughout his life. Other interests included reading, playing pool in his basement, philanthropy, assisting with development of the East Valley and travel. He and Barbara traveled to Europe, Israel, Jamaica, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico as well as to many regions throughout the United States. Those who knew him found Graham to be a kind, gentle and generous man who chose to take the high road whenever dealing with conflict. Graham’s life was spent in service to God, his church, his community and his family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 161 N. Mesa Dr., Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Cook Native American Ministries Foundation (CNAMF) or Friendship Village Foundation. Please visit www. lakeshoremort.com for information.