Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, December 18, 2020

Joe Walker: Aviation hero and family man

by Bob Alvis chore of mowing that field. Being that
special to Aerotech News it was on an acre of land, Joe’s love
for his team and the game ended up
Many times I wonder what the next being a certain amount of grief to
installment of High Desert Hangar Sto- Jim, as he never had a hankering to be
ries will be. a groundskeeper!
After all these years, it amazes me Fate would intervene in Jim’s life
that every time I sit down it doesn’t when his Dad’s fame came to the res-
take long for another aspect of val- cue. During a June 4, 1961, appearance
ley aviation history to make its way on the television show “This Is your
through my keyboard, to the pages of Life,” Joe received as one of his gifts
Aerotech and to you. a riding lawn mower! So, like Forrest
A couple of phone calls last week- Gump mowing the endless miles of
end, with some childhood friends, end- grass every week, you would see Jim
ed with me having a conversation with out on the diamond sitting proudly atop
Jim Walker, one of Joe Walker’s kids. his new toy, glad that the days of the
We got on the subject of community Courtesy photograph push mower were a thing of the past!
service and how the test pilots of that Joe Walker was a P-38 pilot in Italy during World War II. But like all cool things, even that be- Courtesy photograph
time were very family- and communi- came a chore and the end of baseball Joe Walker in an official photograph.
ty-oriented. season was always welcomed — until
When the phone call was over, I a Sunday service and realize the guy door of his house here in Lancaster, Joe and his kids discovered the field
knew I had my column for this week. sitting next to you flew the X-15 and the wheels started turning and before was also a pretty good place to practice present. I guess he just wanted us to
It’s a joy to pass this little bit of a Val- was searching for the same spirituality long, volunteers and family members football! At least in winter it didn’t re- all know that, no matter your status or
ley icon’s life on to you, with a unique as you in a Sunday sermon! were hard at work building a full-sized quire the same love and attention! the seriousness of your craft or busi-
look at the man whose achievements Joe was also a member of the Ante- baseball diamond in his back yard! Yes, Joe Walker was a pretty cool ness, the best trait of your personality
live in the history books and who flew lope Valley YMCA. Looking at some With backstop in place, an irrigation guy, and the community embraced him to share is your smile.
during a very special time in aviation documents from my time as an Indian system went in, grass was growing, and and his family. For even with all that It must have worked because he sure
history. Guide at the “Y” along with my dad, I Lancaster had its own version of the ‘test pilot’ swagger, deep down inside touched a lot of lives in his short life. I
Joe Walker, a decorated World War noticed that Joe was Chief of the Long- “Field Of Dreams!” The only problem, he was just the guy we all wanted to can’t think of one person that ever said
II P-38 pilot and NASA test pilot, was house for a period of time and helped it seemed, was that young Jim Walker call friend. In every picture you see an unkind word about him; and if that’s
the man who inspired many a young with implementing many of the pro- was the one that inherited the weekly of Joe, his mandatory smile is always
aviator with his comic book cover and grams that helped Valley youth to be all you take from this life then I think
action-hero lifestyle. He was respon- better citizens and team-oriented when you were one very special person. All
sible for many aspiring flight test engi- it came to group activities. Later, he of us who were touched by your jour-
neers or pilots who went on to study the brought the same message to the Boy ney yesterday and today are glad we
Scouts of America here in the Valley traveled the Antelope Valley when you
when his son Jim joined those activi- called it home.
ties. Joseph Walker lost his life on a mis-
Joe was always in high demand and
the community came calling many a sion, when the F-104 Starfighter he was
time looking for a judge for beauty flying chase in, was involved in a mid-
pageants, chili cook offs, community air collision with the XB-70 Valkyrie,
queens and a whole host of other activi- on what was called the darkest day in
ties, not to mention a stint with the An- Edwards history. The community and
telope Valley Fair’s Rural Olympics! those he worked with felt the loss of
But the one story that is so Joe Walk- a great man and friend. We will never
er is the one about the year he coached forget his infectious smile and a heart
the Quartz Hill Little League team, the filled with so much positive spirit he
Stars!
Talking with Jim, he told me that freely gave to all who worked with and
everybody who knew his dad knew it knew him.
was never a half effort with anything he Until next time, Bob out ...
was part of. Joe was not happy with the Courtesy photograph
practice arrangements being afforded Joe Walker, the sports fan, with his sons. Editor’s note: This article was first
him and his team. Looking out the back published July 20, 2018.
Joe Walker the
family man.
Courtesy photograph
Joe Walker, NASA test pilot.

disciplines of flight, launching journeys
in higher education that would benefit
all mankind and spur adventurous spir-
its to challenge the unknown in air and
space.
But what many folks never realized
was Joe’s commitment to the commu-
nities he lived in and how far he would
go after a day of busting records and
risking his life to be just another father
and family man, taking part in commu-
nity activities in order to give his fam-
ily as normal and full a life as possible.
Joe was a regular attendee at the
Methodist church here in Lancaster on
West Ave. J and would root his family
in the teachings of the ‘Good Book.’
He was involved with many outreach
programs that were put forth by that Courtesy photograph
church, which still stands today! Joe Walker the family man. Courtesy photograph
Thinking back, can you imagine
how cool it must have been to sit at
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