John P. Walker, Jr. 85 of St. Inigoes, MD died July 23, 2009 at the Solomons Nursing Center. He left behind his wife of 61 years Mary Frances (Lynne), their two sons, John P. Walker, III and James L. Walker, two grandchildren, one great grandchild and two brothers, Christopher B. and Walter P. Walker.

Mr. Walker was born in Lakeland, FL, the eldest son of John and Virginia Proctor Walker. He grew up on the family farm in Fayette County, TN. He graduated from Collierville High School in 1940, from Davidson College, Davidson, NC in 1947 with a BS in Physics and from Penn State University with a MS in Physics in 1950. He joined the Navy in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet, received his wings in 1944 and was a pilot in VF33 aboard carriers SAGAMON and CHENANGO in the Pacific during the last year of WWII.

In the interval 1950-1976 Mr. Walker worked for several defense contractors in the general area of infrared reconnaissance systems. In 1976 Walkers bought their cruising sailboat GUSTO. After a "dry run" to the Caribbean in 1977, they set out on their circumnavigation of the planet Earth, finishing in 1982. This was followed by a tour of the Mediterranean as far east as the Greek island of Samos from 1986 to 1988.

Sensing that it was time to retire, the Walkers built their home on St. Inigoes Creek in 1990. He and his wife continued an active lifestyle cruising with family and friends on the Chesapeake Bay, skiing in Alta, Utah and traveling. He was a member of the United States Power Squadrons and also the Southern Maryland Sailing Association.

A brief departure ceremony will be held at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD on August 1, 2009 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.