Oren John “Corky” Walker of Hermiston died on June 13, 2026 at Good Shepherd in Hermiston at the age of 81 with his wife of 60 years, Linda Walker, by his side.
He was born on Aug. 18, 1944 in La Grande to James and Alice Brown Walker and lived in Upper Perry until moving to La Grande when he started middle school. He enjoyed spending time with his dad at their property in Ladd Canyon.
Corky graduated from La Grande High School in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Knight, on Dec. 4, 1965, and together they raised two daughters in La Grande. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing.
Corky held various jobs during and after high school before beginning his lifelong military career, where he served with distinction for many years. He retired with the rank of sergeant major first class, E-9. Following his military retirement, he worked at the Umatilla Chemical Depot for 10 years.
Corky was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Hermiston. He always made sure the church displayed a new American flag whenever one became weathered, reflecting how proud he was of both his faith and his country. In his younger years, he was also an active member of the Elks lodge and served for a time as exalted ruler. During his later years, he devoted countless hours to Hermiston’s Friday Backpack Program, ensuring that children in need had access to meals over the weekends.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Walker; his daughters, Leslie Iturbide (John) and Cindy Plaza (Mark); his grandchildren, Amanda Cathey, Kiley Meza, Kody Plaza, and Bradley Iturbide; and his great-grandchildren, Alexis Ross, Oliver Meza, and Lincoln Meza.
Corky was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice Walker; his brother, Charles Walker; his sister, Carolyn Wilson; and his nephew, James Wilson.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1005 S.E. Ninth St., Hermiston.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Friday Backpack Program through the Agape House Food Bank Partnership at Eastern Oregon Mission, https://www.easternoregonmission.org/agape-house.
Please share memories of Corky with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
