Francis "Frank" Roach Walker

Francis Roach Walker , age 77, of Mountain Home went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 26, 2022.  

Frank was born in Dallas, Texas in 1944. After graduation from high school, he joined the US Marine Corps, making it his career, retiring after 21 years of service. Frank rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant before becoming a Chief Warrant Officer 3, and finally retiring at the rank of Captain. During his career in the Marine Corps, he had a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division and ended his career with FMFPac in Hawaii. After retiring, Frank spent time as a Pace instructor for the US Navy and as a case worker with troubled youth. He was active in many military organizations to include the Marine Mustangs Association, Marine Corps League and Disabled Veterans organizations. He was also active in recent years maintaining the veterans ‘memorial in Fredericksburg, Texas and being a member of the volunteer fire department in Mountain Home. Besides veterans and volunteer organizations, Frank was also part of the Scottish Rite.

Frank married Karen Sue Newhouse in 1980 in Hawaii. Celebrating over 41 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling together and lived in Hawaii, Virginia, Florida, Costa Rica, and Texas, making life-long friends in each location. Frank frequently kept in touch with these friends through phone calls, get togethers, holiday parties and his email newsletter sharing jokes and his thoughts on world events.

Frank was an honest and simple man who  loved great food and cooking, working around his property, reading books, monitoring his weather station and keeping up with the news and current events. Those who knew him, knew Frank usually did all the above with a Budweiser in hand. Frank also loved cruising, hunting trips to West Virginia and most recently traveling several times to visit Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Frank is survived by his wife, Karen Walker, also of Mountain Home, and his children John (Katy) Walker of Bertram, Texas, and Christian Haefs of San Antonio, Texas. Frank was predeceased by his parents, A.O. Walker and Vonda (Roach) Walker. He will also be missed by his rescue pets, Brandi, Miley, Misty and Layla.

Per his wishes, Frank’s ashes will be buried at sea in a military ceremony later this year. 

Friends and members of the community are invited to join the Walker family on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 5:30 PM at Wright’s Funeral Parlor for a celebration of his life. Donations in Frank’s  name may be made to the Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department.

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