Walter Walker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator fromColorado | |
| In office September 26, 1932 – December 6, 1932 | |
| Appointed by | Billy Adams |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Waterman |
| Succeeded by | Karl C. Schuyler |
| Chairman of theColorado Democratic State Committee[1] | |
| In office September 18, 1930[1] – September 22, 1932[2] | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Annear[1] |
| Succeeded by | James A. Marsh[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1883-04-03)April 3, 1883 |
| Died | October 8, 1956(1956-10-08) (aged 73) |
| Resting place | Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Grand Junction, Colorado |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathie Wood (m. 1903–1956, his death) |
| Children | 1 |
| Profession | Newspaper owner and editor |
Walter Walker (April 3, 1883 – October 8, 1956) was a newspaper owner and editor inColorado who briefly served asDemocraticUnited States senator in late 1932 after being appointed to fill a vacancy pending a special election.
A native ofMarion, Kentucky, Walker was educated in the schools of Marion and moved to Colorado as a young man. He became a resident ofGrand Junction, where he began a career in the newspaper business. He became an editor of the Grand JunctionDaily Sentinel, and eventually became the paper's owner.
When theKu Klux Klan was revived in the 1920s, Walker became a member. He later came out in opposition to the Klan, which led to members of the group attacking him in the street, but Walker refused to end his anti-Klan activities. Active in theDemocratic Party, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventionin 1924,1928, and1932. From 1930 to 1932, he served as chairman of Colorado'sDemocratic state committee.
In September 1932, Colorado's governor appointed Walker to fill a vacancy in theUnited States Senate. He ran in thespecial election to complete the term, but was defeated byRepublican nomineeKarl C. Schuyler, who was sworn in to office in December. He continued to own and publish theDaily Sentinel and was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventionsin 1936,1940,1944,1948, and1952. In 1936, he was apresidential elector for the ticket ofFranklin D. Roosevelt andJohn Nance Garner.
Walker died in Grand Junction on October 8, 1956. He was buried in Grand Junction's Orchard Mesa Cemetery.
Walker was born inMarion, Kentucky on April 3, 1883.[3] The son of Robert C. Walker, the owner of theCrittenden Press newspaper, Walter Walker was educated locally, and then moved toColorado in 1903.[3][4]
After settling inGrand Junction, Walker worked in the newspaper business, eventually becoming editor, manager, and chief owner of the Grand JunctionDaily Sentinel.[3] Walker's staff includedDalton Trumbo, whom Walker hired as a reporter in 1920, and employed for four years.[5] In addition to running the newspaper, Walker was a civic activist, and his efforts included management of Grand Junction's successfullyceum.[6]
During the 1920s revival of theKu Klux Klan, Walker was an early member.[7] He subsequently turned against the group, and published editorials in opposition.[8] In September 1925, several local Klan leaders including a deputy sheriff and a police officer assaulted Walker as he walked from a barber shop to his newspaper office.[9] Others on the street eventually intervened, and before leaving to seek medical aid Walker informed the Klan members that physical intimidation would not prevent him from continuing his anti-Klan campaign.[9]In 1924,1928, and1932, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[10] From 1930 to 1932 he served as chairman of Colorado'sDemocratic state committee.[1][2]
On September 26, 1932, Walker was appointed to the U.S. Senate, temporarily filling the vacancy caused by the death ofCharles W. Waterman.[3] He ran in thespecial election for the remainder of the term, but was defeated byRepublicanKarl C. Schuyler.[11] Walker served until December 6, 1932, when Schuyler was sworn in.[12]
Walker resumed his work in the newspaper business following the completion of his Senate service.[13]In 1936, he was again a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[10] Later that year, he was apresidential elector for the ticket ofFranklin D. Roosevelt andJohn Nance Garner.In 1940,1944,1948, and1952, he was again a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[10]
Walker died in Grand Junction on October 8, 1956.[4] He was interred at Orchard Mesa Cemetery in Grand Junction.[14]
In November 1903, Walker married Kathie Wood (1882–1971) of Kentucky.[3] They were the parents of a son, Preston (1912–1970).[3]
SeveralColorado Mesa University facilities are named for Walter Walker, including the soccer field and the reception area at the Moss Performing Arts Center.[15][16]
In recognition of his advocacy for air service to Grand Junction in the early days of commercial aviation, theGrand Junction Regional Airport was named for Walker from 1942 until its 2007 expansion.[17] The airport's terminal, fire station, and Walker Boulevard are all named in his honor.[17]
The Walter Walker State Wildlife Area near Grand Junction is also named for Walker.[18]
In 2008, statues of Walter Walker and his son Preston were installed at 634 Main Street in Grand Junction as part of the Legends of the Grand Valley project created by several local organizations.[19]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forU.S. Senator fromColorado (Class 3) 1932 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Colorado 1932 | Succeeded by |
| Class 2 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
