Lea R. Walker's Obituary
Lea Renee Walker was born, as a first child, to Elizabeth and James Walker on February 3, 1963 in Pensacola, Florida. She transitioned on August 12, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington.
Raised in the Lakewood, WA area, she attended Oakwood Elementary, Lochburn Middle School and Clover Park High School, graduating in June 1981. In November ’81, Lea joined the United States Air Force Reserve transferring to active duty status in February 1982. During a military career that spanned 10 years, Lea traveled around the planet making friends in Texas, California, England and Mississippi. After her honorable discharge, she worked in Seattle as a claims ajudicator for the federal government; a medical records/office supervisor for a Tacoma physician and in the Pierce County area for several insurance/patient care providers.
Extended adventures touring continental Europe and Greek Island sailboat cruise with her father were at the top of her well accomplished “bucket list.”
Lea was beyond smart! Her mind, wit (and tongue) were razor-sharp! She was about words, grammar and definitions. Her voice, speech cadence and precise enunciation characterized an eloquent, verbal delivery not easily misunderstood and not soon forgotten. Lea was an avid reader, rarely meeting a book she didn’t like.
A well-acted stage production with credible plot and dynamic character development (Les Miserables was her favorite), an expertly prepared meal at the 13 coins Restaurant (better include shrimp), a multi-ethnic BBQ picnic shared with the Sias sisters, long, very funny conversations punctuated by Lea’s distinctive and infectious laugh, listening to old school music, loudly singing every word to “I’ll Call Your Name” by Switch with her best friend forever and ever, Debbie and performing incredibly artistic and innovative choreographic moves to Zapp’s, “More Bounce to the Ounce” were highlights of Lea’s social world.
Surviving family members, those who will always remember Lea’s intensely bright light, include; her father James; sisters Laurie, Erica and Whitney; her brother Marcus; first cousins and others of the clan Baldwin, nephews, a niece and many friends the world over. Her mother, Elizabeth predeceased Lea in 2004.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be submitted to the Walker account, TAPCO Credit Union, #3106070.
The family also wishes to acknowledge and gratefully thank the medical staff in St. Joseph Medical Center, intensive care unit 6D for their professional, extremely competent, patient and loving care of our beloved Lea. A special heartfelt thanks is extended to life-long family friends and caretakers, Joyce and Ethel, without whom this arduous journey would have been far more difficult.
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