Joseph Ronald Walker

Joseph Ronald Walker, age 94, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, at WakeMed Raleigh Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joseph was a service engineer at IBM for over 37 years, and a loving father and grandfather, imparting his knowledge, quiet wit, and humility to all of those around him. Joseph “Joe” was born to Fred and Elva Jane (Nace) Walker on December 17, 1930, in Concord, Ohio. He was raised on his parent’s 250 acre farm in Highland County before Joe began to look for new adventures, challenges, and new machines for him to take apart and reassemble. He graduated from Whiteoak High School in Mowrystown, Ohio in 1948. On August 28, 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and shortly after enrolled in several training programs. In October 1952, he graduated from the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee before he was appointed to Aviation Electronics Technician, Third Class. While flying on Navy planes as a bombardier, he traveled all corners of the world such as: Italy, England, Iceland, Morocco, Japan, the Arctic Circle, and even caused an emergency detour to Goose Bay Labrador, Canada to have his appendix taken out. Joe was even stationed on the famous aircraft carrier Intrepid. In November 1954, the Navy increased his security clearance to “Secret;” in which, years later, after he saw a history documentary where his work had been declassified, he did finally reveal, to family, the technology he worked on for the Navy. On August 26, 1955, he was then transferred to the United States Navy Reserve before being honorably discharged four years later on August 27, 1959. After his transfer to the Navy Reserves, he began working for IBM in March of 1956 where he would continue to work for 37 years. IBM had his security clearance raised to the highest level in the DOE level “Q” as he worked with General Electric (GE) on several projects from 1958 to 1961. Joseph won the prestigious IBM Means Service Award three times, as well as receiving many other accolades. His expertise was so sought after that after he took an early retirement, IBM begged him to come back and work as a consultant part time for several more years. He was someone who always had so much knowledge about any and all subjects that you just assumed he knew everything, and if he didn’t he would research it until he did. Yet, he was humble, kind, and such an easygoing man who could get along with everyone he met. Joseph married his beloved wife, Janet Kathleen Games, on June 15, 1957. They met on a double date when she was dating his brother Hugh. She decided Joseph was the love of her life and the two were married for 67 years before he passed. They had two daughters together who learned much from their parents. Joe and Janet were both very active at their local church, Summerside United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio where they grew together in their love for Christ. Joseph loved to impart his knowledge and love of tinkering. He loved radios and their mechanisms, and there was never anything he could not fix. Joseph always had to make sure he had a way to watch, or listen, to his Cincinnati Reds baseball. He was always happy watching the Reds or eating a giant bowl of Skyline Chili (the 5-way of course).In the latter part of his life, he liked to travel the countryside with his wife Janet and other friends from the Clermont Country Seniors Travel, and devote time to his four grandchildren. He avidly defended his bird feeder from squirrels, constantly engineering new ways to keep them away; and grew his cherished grape tomatoes to be enjoyed straight from the vine after a little “shine on the shirt.” Joseph loved continuing to tinker and learn new technology, play a good game of Oh Pshaw or croquet, or secretly help cheat at Rook so his wife could finally win. He had an infectious, prankster smile behind his quiet demeanor and small chuckle. Joseph is survived by his wife Janet Kathleen and their two daughters, Joyce Walker (George) Martin and Nancy Kay (Jerry) Fink; one sister-in-law Henrietta Walker; two grandsons Michael Taylor (Lisa) Martin and Samuel Quincy (Kate) Fink; two granddaughters Nicole Paige (James) Houck and Jennifer Laura Fink; two great-granddaughters Harper Grace Houck and Isabella Lucille Houck; and many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, John “JL” (Joanne) Walker, Harold (Helen) Walker, and Hugh Walker; and his one sister Marilyn Jane (Keith) Pattison. In keeping with his wishes, Joseph was cremated. A private graveside service at Wake Memorial Park and celebration of life event will be held at the convenience of the family.

Joseph Ronald Walker

December 17, 1930 - May 18, 2025