John Walker Obituary

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On May 22, 2025, John L Walker passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
Born in the District of Columbia, John was a resident of Bethesda, MD most of his life and spent his retirement years in Annapolis, MD. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army.
John was a devoted friend of 64 years and husband of 61 years to Augusta Ann Lee Walker; beloved father to Kathleen Kelly Walker, Joann Walker Fitzell, and John Joseph Walker; cherished grandfather of John Vincent Fitzell, Mary Augusta Fitzell, Joseph Theodore Fitzell, and James Arthur Fitzell. He was a father figure, godfather, and mentor to many.
John was a founding executive of the payroll company Hughes Computers. After almost a decade, the business was purchased by Automatic Data Processing. He worked over 23 years at ADP and became the DC division's District Manager. After ADP, he went on to consult and advise for several other businesses and projects. One of the projects he directed, rebuilding and reinforcing the Pentagon after the deadly 9/11 attacks, was completed three weeks ahead of the one year anniversary goal, a true honor for him. In his retirement, he followed one of his passions by starting a one-man business called "Grandfather Can Fix Anything" where his handyman skills helped a ton of folks within his retirement community and throughout Anne Arundel County. If he wasn't working with his hands, he was helping friends and family with their taxes and financials at no charge.
John's hobbies consisted mostly of helping others' dreams come true. He was always building things for others. Whether it was making his wife's visions come true with painting or knocking down walls, building bunk beds, closets, and cabinets for his children, or doll houses and derby cars for his grandchildren, John was always working on something for someone else.
John rarely relaxed, except during football season, when his favorite team, the Redskins, played on Sundays. He wore his team's jacket, almost daily, until his passing. During the summer, on occasion, you might find him sitting on the seashore of Fenwick Island, DE with his toes in the sand, or you might catch a glimpse of him in his own backyard, sitting on the edge of his diving board, in the dark, after a successful weekend of family and friendship festivities. It was rare for him to rest. John was happiest when he was with his family and close friends. His greatest joy was making his wife and children smile. He is legendary for helping others find jobs, find housing, find loans, find help in some way, somehow. If you needed help, John was there. He will forever be remembered for inserting his dry wit into conversation while quietly watching the dynamics unfold around him. He will be missed tremendously and never forgotten by those whose lives he has deeply touched.
In lieu of flowers and donations in John's name, his children would like you to consider reaching out to Ann Lee and taking her out to lunch. They know that is what he would want the most -- to make sure "mom" is smiling and not alone.
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