Obituary of Nelson Walker

Walker - D. Nelson – It is with extreme sorrow we announce the sudden passing of David Nelson Walker on November 10, 2024. Born at the STEGH on January 3,1961 to parents John Samuel “Jack” deceased July 19,1990 and Joyce Elaine (Dawdy) Walker. Of his mother he once wrote, “As I look upon my own children, I see how much they adore you. This is not about one person, it’s about family. I have never met any one person that lives for family like you do".

He is lovingly remembered by his siblings, Lynn MacPherson (Jim), Larry Walker (Janice), Lana Hagerty (Dave), and Sandy Vachon (Jeff). He was “the best girl dad” to daughters Alesha (Joe), Madison (Andrew) and Alexandria “Ali”. Proud grandpa to six grandchildren, Makayla, Alexis, Jaxx, Rowan, Camryn and Blake.

To Nelson family was everything and we would be amiss not to instill how much he loved each and everyone of them. Nelson grew up in the villages of Paynes Mills and Frome and was among the last to attend the Paynes Mills one room school before it’s closing in 1969. He then attended Frome P.S. Southwold Central PS. and Parkside Collegiate. He lived most of his life in St. Thomas where he worked at Presstran for 25 years.

The highlight of his youth was his years pitching fastball. He loved the game and the people he met along the way. We once found an old mattress propped up against the silo with a hole worn straight through it where he pitched strike after strike practicing. As a young boy his career with the local league began in Shedden. Eventually, alongside his brother Larry, he moved to New Jersey, playing 3 years for Solomons fastball team. He played a partial season for the Merchants of Linden, in New Jersey before losing their sponsors, but he was quickly picked up by the Bank of Pennsylvania Sunners and moved to Leesport. He would be a right-handed compliment to the left-handed Ty Stofflet, and he hoped he could learn a lot from a respected legend of the game. It was 1984, he was 23. Nelson went on to play in Hartford Connecticut before returning home to play locally again for the Shedden Pests who would go on to win the Eastern Canadian Championship in Gander Newfoundland in 1991.

Nelson is greatly loved and will be long remembered by a vast group of extended family. Only a few short weeks ago he was quoted to say, “we’re a pretty lucky bunch”. Nelson worked hard, played hard, and loved his family harder! To all of you, “Salute”.

A casual celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 16, at the Elgin Masonic Centre, 42703 Fruitridge Line., St. Thomas from 2-5 pm.WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE by family will be held at 3:30 pm. 

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Thomas Minor Baseball Association. McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home 2240 Wharncliffe Rd S Lambeth entrusted with the arrangements.