Donald M. Walker
April 3, 1922 - January 19, 2021
Donald M. Walker was called Home peacefully on January 19, 2021.
He began his extraordinary life in Woodstown, NJ, where he grew up with his seven siblings Earl, Harry, Emerson, Paul, Ivy, Marion and Phoebe. After graduating from Woodstown High, Don attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. It was there, as he was en route to classes, that he met his future wife, Therese Tulskie, from Springfield, PA.
Before graduation, Don attempted to enlist in the Air Corps, but his color blindness precluded him from joining. He then enlisted in the Navy, choosing bomb disposal as his path. This decision led him to become part of the
Navy Underwater Demolition Team – first as a member of UDT 4 and then as
Executive Officer of UDT 13. He was an original Frogman - the precursor to today’s Navy Seals. Because of his history, those in the SEAL community that he has met, have affectionately dubbed him “Papa Frog”.
Don saw action in the Pacific Theater – Saipan, Guam, Peleliu (USS Noa), in 1944, followed by Iwo Jima (USS Barr) in February 1945 and finally Okinawa in March of 1945. Don was awarded the Silver Star for his service at Iwo Jima where he witnessed the raising of the American flag. He left the Navy but remained an active UDT reservist and non-active reservist in the Naval Reserve for 15 years. He was honorably discharged in 1959 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Don married his beloved Therese in 1946, and they so enjoyed raising their two sons, Don and John. They were married for 54 years before Therese’s passing. Don first worked for Eli Lilly & Company. After leaving Eli Lilly, he established a partnership in Heverly-Walker Pharmacy in Haddonfield, NJ where he worked for 20 years. He was so respected that his customers dubbed him “Doctor”.
In 1962, the family moved to Cherry Hill, NJ where the family enjoyed many happy years. Don had a lifelong allegiance for the Navy. He volunteered with the renovation of the Battleship New Jersey for 10 years, where he received a Volunteer Service Medal from the state.
Donald married Phyllis Miller in 2005. The couple moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2015 and lived happily at Laurelwood at the Pinehills. There he enjoyed many activities - fishing, shooting pool, cornhole and attending Veteran gatherings, and of course, watching the Army-Navy game. With a sparkle in his eye, his numerous one liners will be remembered by many and his good humor kept everyone smiling. He was kind, never to offend.
Always humble, this gentleman truly represented those of the Greatest Generation. When praised for his heroism, he would reply, “I did what I had to do. It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country.”
Don was predeceased by his wife, Therese, and 6 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Plymouth, MA, his sister Phoebe of Monroeville, NJ; his son John (Susan) of Fairfield, CT, his son Donald (Sue) of Yarmouthport, MA; Pop Pop’s three granddaughters, Kristin Baker (Matthew) of Boston, Michelle Ronan (Kyle) of Medfield, MA and Elizabeth Jones (Brendan) of Fairfield, CT; his 3 great grandsons – Julian, Louis, and Wesley; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. All brought him such joy.
He will be missed by all his family and friends to whom he brought even greater joy.
A private Mass for immediate family will be celebrated
at St. Bonaventure in Plymouth, MA,
on January 29. This Mass will be available for viewing
on January 30 on the Cartmell-Davis website.
A Celebration of Life is being planned
for Arlington National Cemetery
in the summer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation
www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/
(Please add the Walker home address in the Message To Recipient box)
He began his extraordinary life in Woodstown, NJ, where he grew up with his seven siblings Earl, Harry, Emerson, Paul, Ivy, Marion and Phoebe. After graduating from Woodstown High, Don attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. It was there, as he was en route to classes, that he met his future wife, Therese Tulskie, from Springfield, PA.
Before graduation, Don attempted to enlist in the Air Corps, but his color blindness precluded him from joining. He then enlisted in the Navy, choosing bomb disposal as his path. This decision led him to become part of the
Navy Underwater Demolition Team – first as a member of UDT 4 and then as
Executive Officer of UDT 13. He was an original Frogman - the precursor to today’s Navy Seals. Because of his history, those in the SEAL community that he has met, have affectionately dubbed him “Papa Frog”.
Don saw action in the Pacific Theater – Saipan, Guam, Peleliu (USS Noa), in 1944, followed by Iwo Jima (USS Barr) in February 1945 and finally Okinawa in March of 1945. Don was awarded the Silver Star for his service at Iwo Jima where he witnessed the raising of the American flag. He left the Navy but remained an active UDT reservist and non-active reservist in the Naval Reserve for 15 years. He was honorably discharged in 1959 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Don married his beloved Therese in 1946, and they so enjoyed raising their two sons, Don and John. They were married for 54 years before Therese’s passing. Don first worked for Eli Lilly & Company. After leaving Eli Lilly, he established a partnership in Heverly-Walker Pharmacy in Haddonfield, NJ where he worked for 20 years. He was so respected that his customers dubbed him “Doctor”.
In 1962, the family moved to Cherry Hill, NJ where the family enjoyed many happy years. Don had a lifelong allegiance for the Navy. He volunteered with the renovation of the Battleship New Jersey for 10 years, where he received a Volunteer Service Medal from the state.
Donald married Phyllis Miller in 2005. The couple moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2015 and lived happily at Laurelwood at the Pinehills. There he enjoyed many activities - fishing, shooting pool, cornhole and attending Veteran gatherings, and of course, watching the Army-Navy game. With a sparkle in his eye, his numerous one liners will be remembered by many and his good humor kept everyone smiling. He was kind, never to offend.
Always humble, this gentleman truly represented those of the Greatest Generation. When praised for his heroism, he would reply, “I did what I had to do. It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country.”
Don was predeceased by his wife, Therese, and 6 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Plymouth, MA, his sister Phoebe of Monroeville, NJ; his son John (Susan) of Fairfield, CT, his son Donald (Sue) of Yarmouthport, MA; Pop Pop’s three granddaughters, Kristin Baker (Matthew) of Boston, Michelle Ronan (Kyle) of Medfield, MA and Elizabeth Jones (Brendan) of Fairfield, CT; his 3 great grandsons – Julian, Louis, and Wesley; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. All brought him such joy.
He will be missed by all his family and friends to whom he brought even greater joy.
A private Mass for immediate family will be celebrated
at St. Bonaventure in Plymouth, MA,
on January 29. This Mass will be available for viewing
on January 30 on the Cartmell-Davis website.
A Celebration of Life is being planned
for Arlington National Cemetery
in the summer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation
www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/
(Please add the Walker home address in the Message To Recipient box)
