L. Leon Walker

L. Leon Walker, age 81, of Mt. Blanchard, passed away peacefully in Citrus Heights, California, where he was cared for by his daughter and son-in-law in his last years battling Parkinson's Disease. He was born in St. Joseph Missouri on July 14, 1939. He received his Bachelor of Science from Northwest Missouri State University, Masters of Science from the University of Missouri and his PHD in Entomology from Purdue University. He served as a Sergeant in the Army Reserve from 1960-1964. He was a Professor of Science at the University of Findlay from 1989 to 2005 and taught a combined 37 years throughout his life. Leon always felt "so privileged to be a teacher" and was proud of the over 8000 students he taught over the years. He helped establish things of value in the Findlay community including the Master Gardeners program, the Rieck Center, and encouraged others to participate in the ReTree International and other Botany and Horticultural projects. He was also a proud father of three children, whom survive him. Daughter, April Victoria Cathleen Allen and son-in-law Ryan Daniel Allen from Citrus Heights, CA, daughter Alyssa Ann Walker from Cosby, Missouri, and son Alexander Kent Walker from Tiffin, Ohio. He has four grandchildren, Alayna, Ryan, Jayden and Ella Walker of Cosby, Missouri. He also leaves behind his sister Mert Walker of Kansas City, Kansas, and brother Barry Walker of Barnard, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife Yvette Walker to which he was "a boat without an anchor, just floating aimlessly" since her passing in 2005. He was also preceded by his father Merle Walker and mother Dorothy (McKnight) Walker as well as many other loved ones he has lost over the years. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at Mt. Blanchard United Methodist Church with Pastor Brett Kelly officiating. Burial to follow at Krout Cemetery, Mt. Blanchard, OH. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2020, at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, OH. Memorial contributions can bemade to The Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Online condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting www.coldrencrates.com