Stephen S. Walker

Judge Stephen S. Walker died this past week, and for family and friends the world will never be the same. So much about Steve is special. As a friend wrote, he had a terrific mind, sharp wit, and was a legendary raconteur. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Lewis & Clark College and the Northwestern School of Law. Several early experiences molded his beliefs and attitudes. His teenage years were spent in Mexico City where he attended The American School. There he developed a deep appreciation of Mexican culture. Later in life he used his fluency in Spanish to help others. As a young man he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a lab-tech in a MASH Unit in Korea. When he returned to Portland, he worked in a pathology lab to support himself through law school. Practicing law was a perfect career choice for Steve. He was competitive and believed in justice. He fought hard for his clients-whether or not they had the ability to pay. Steve believed his years as a defense attorney served him well when he became a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge. He enjoyed the collegiality of the legal community. After forty-nine years as a member of the Oregon State Bar working as both a lawyer and a judge, he knew firsthand the high caliber of justice in Oregon courts. Even after retirement, he was active as an arbitrator and mediator. He will be missed by his wife Gloria, sons Kirk and Gene, daughter Sally, daughter-in-law Molly, grandchildren Scotty, Kelly, and Jamal, brother and sister-in-law Charles and Catherine, six nieces: Beth, Mimi, Stephanie, Anne, Ellen and Mary; and many special friends who we hope will join us as we celebrate the wonderful times we shared with him. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at JoPa Restaurant, 4439 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, at 4pm Wednesday August 17th. Arrangements by Autumn Funerals, Cremation & Burial, Tigard, Oregon