Ted Walker, 73, passed away, May 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. His life was rooted in his deep abiding faith in God, his values of hard work, and the love and laughter of his family and friends.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife Josephine Echeverria Walker after 44 years of loving marriage. He found love again and blended his family with his beloved wife Sonia Walker and her devoted family.
He is survived by his wife Sonia Walker; his brother John Walker with his wife Gaye Walker; his daughters, Erica Walker Maran with Michael Maran, Sarah Walker VanPelt with her husband Miguel Lara, and Leigh Walker-Hardt with her husband Clay Hardt. He also leaves behind Sonia’s three well beloved children, nine amazing grandchildren, two adorable step grandchildren, four darling great grandchildren and two newest members on the way. All of whom brought him tremendous pride and joy.
Ted spent more than 30yrs in the construction business and was known for his strong work ethic and ability to do just about anything that he put his mind to even when they said he couldn’t. As a youngster he worked alongside his father and brothers during harvest. In high school he performed in musicals and was a member of The Casa Grande Union High School’s Blue Notes. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was an extremely smart, talented, and clever student. He received a football scholarship and attended college in New Mexico. Later in his 20’s he worked on his father-in-law’s potato farm and helped with the sheep herding. All of these experiences shaped the hardworking cowboy and creative spirit that he carried through his life.
Ted was certainly a one of a kind, a hard-working man’s man. He was an accomplished cattle roper who loved his horses and the western way of life. He took pride in his appearance with his fresh pressed button downs and wranglers, well-kept boots, and his signature cowboy hat—complete with rules on how to handle it. He definitely had opinions on how a cowboy ought to carry himself.
He also was an incredibly gifted musician – a talented singer, pianist, and guitarist who could pick up nearly any stringed instrument and play it by ear. He loved music and storytelling. His quick-witted remarks brought a great deal of laughter to the people around him. He was charming and funny with a wonderfully cheeky sense of humor that people will not easily forget.
Above all Ted had a powerful faith in his loving God. He spent many years studying scripture and teaching Bible studies. He loved sharing his faith with others. His accomplishments and talents are simply too many to fit in one obituary, but he made an amazing impact on those who love him that will last for generations.
The funeral services will be held in Casa Grande, Arizona at Trinity Southern Baptist Church, Friday May 22. The viewing will start at 11am with the service following at 12pm. Located at 1100 E Trinity Pl, Casa Grande, AZ 85122—https://trinitycg.org
He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and often laughed about—exactly as he would have wanted.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife Josephine Echeverria Walker after 44 years of loving marriage. He found love again and blended his family with his beloved wife Sonia Walker and her devoted family.
He is survived by his wife Sonia Walker; his brother John Walker with his wife Gaye Walker; his daughters, Erica Walker Maran with Michael Maran, Sarah Walker VanPelt with her husband Miguel Lara, and Leigh Walker-Hardt with her husband Clay Hardt. He also leaves behind Sonia’s three well beloved children, nine amazing grandchildren, two adorable step grandchildren, four darling great grandchildren and two newest members on the way. All of whom brought him tremendous pride and joy.
Ted spent more than 30yrs in the construction business and was known for his strong work ethic and ability to do just about anything that he put his mind to even when they said he couldn’t. As a youngster he worked alongside his father and brothers during harvest. In high school he performed in musicals and was a member of The Casa Grande Union High School’s Blue Notes. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was an extremely smart, talented, and clever student. He received a football scholarship and attended college in New Mexico. Later in his 20’s he worked on his father-in-law’s potato farm and helped with the sheep herding. All of these experiences shaped the hardworking cowboy and creative spirit that he carried through his life.
Ted was certainly a one of a kind, a hard-working man’s man. He was an accomplished cattle roper who loved his horses and the western way of life. He took pride in his appearance with his fresh pressed button downs and wranglers, well-kept boots, and his signature cowboy hat—complete with rules on how to handle it. He definitely had opinions on how a cowboy ought to carry himself.
He also was an incredibly gifted musician – a talented singer, pianist, and guitarist who could pick up nearly any stringed instrument and play it by ear. He loved music and storytelling. His quick-witted remarks brought a great deal of laughter to the people around him. He was charming and funny with a wonderfully cheeky sense of humor that people will not easily forget.
Above all Ted had a powerful faith in his loving God. He spent many years studying scripture and teaching Bible studies. He loved sharing his faith with others. His accomplishments and talents are simply too many to fit in one obituary, but he made an amazing impact on those who love him that will last for generations.
The funeral services will be held in Casa Grande, Arizona at Trinity Southern Baptist Church, Friday May 22. The viewing will start at 11am with the service following at 12pm. Located at 1100 E Trinity Pl, Casa Grande, AZ 85122—https://trinitycg.org
He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and often laughed about—exactly as he would have wanted.
