Arthur Walker

Arthur Walker Jr., age 74, of Kalamazoo, MI died December 9, 2016. Arthur James Walker was born to Arthur and Erie B. Walker on March 18th, 1942, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Arthur James was the fourth of nine children born to this union. He served in many Christian ministries at the Assemblies of God in East Lansing, MI. Art graduated from Western Michigan University with a BA in Psychology, a Master's in Counseling, and a Master's degree in Public Administration. He started his career doing counseling for at-risk youth in Kalamazoo, MI. He then joined the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company, and later held positions for Governor Milliken's office, Michigan Public Health Office of Substance Abuse, and the State of Michigan's Labor Department. After retirement from the State of Michigan, he served the city of Lansing as Director of Human Relations and Community Services. Art was also a founding member of the Kalamazoo Northside Association for Educational Advancement, which gave over a hundred scholarships away to kids over the years. Outside of his faith, family was most important to him. He loved spending time together, watching sports games, attending recitals and events, and taking trips with his immediate and extended family. In his younger years, he was a football and track star and was even officially invited to try out professionally in the sport of football. Arthur took his journey home to be with the Lord on December 9th, 2016. He is preceded in death by his mother, Erie B. Walker, his father, Arthur Walker, his sisters Nellie Hurtt and Doris McCoy, and his brothers Tommy Walker and Amos Walker. He is cherished and survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl Walker; his brothers, Moses Walker and Alex Walker; his sisters, Birda Walker and Stella Dixon; his daughter, Khadija Walker-Fobbs (Wilbert), his son, Adrian Walker (Leah), his step-sons, Dennis Dorsey and Brian Dorsey (Carla); six grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be from 5-8pm on Thursday, December 15th, 2016, at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home (520 E Mt Hope, Lansing, MI 48910). The Memorial Service will be held at the Assemblies of God Church of Greater Lansing (2717 West Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823) at 11am on Friday, December 16th, 2016. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to Mission 1:17, 774 Rowe Rd., Milford, MI 48380 (www.themission117.org) in memory of Arthur J. Walker, Jr.