Smith Family: Captain (Ret) Grant Joseph Walker

(1) Grant & Mary Jane Scoles Walker (2) Captain Walker (3) In retirement

I started genealogy late in life. By the time I started most of the people I wanted to talk to had passed
away. In the case of Mary Jane Scoles, a cousin of mine through William Custer Smith, her husband, US Navy Captain Grant J. Walker, was still alive in his 90s with a clear mind and a pleasant way.

I worked through one of his daughters to get an interview with him and I spent about an hour taking him through his life and that of his family.  He told a great story and had a fascinating military life. He was very generous to tell his tale to a complete stranger and I really connected with him.  When I asked him what he was doing these days, he said in a totally self-deprecating way, "Well, I used to play poker, but everyone died."

I learned this week that he passed away at 96, surrounded by his family. 

I will direct you to the published portion of the interview here.

Thank you for your service, Captain Grant, and may you rest in peace.

Captain (Ret) Grant Joseph Walker, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 23, 2021.

Grant was born in Ramey, PA to the late Grant Joel Walker and Cecilia Knappage Walker, on December 16, 1925. Grant was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Scoles Walker; second wife, Dorothy Guyton Walker and brother, Walter Walker. 

Grant’s strong sense of values and his emphasis on family has left a lasting impact on us all. He was survived by 4 daughters, 2 step-children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter and close friend, Fran Morris. 

Grant had a successful career serving in the U.S. Navy for 33 years and retired in 1976. He attended Pennsylvania State University, Georgia Tech, and Columbia University. 

He instructed at the CIC Officers School in Glenview, IL and at the U.S. Navy War College in Newport, RI. He served aboard the USS Chandeuler (AV-10), USS Rockingham (APA-229), USS Yosemite (AD-19), USS Newport News (CA-148), USS Cecil (DRR-835), and served as the commanding officer of the USS Joseph K. Taussig (DE-1030), USS Waddell (DDG-24) and the USS Coronado (LPD-11). His final tour was Commanding Officer, SURFLANT, Inactive Ships, Norfolk, VA . 

Grant will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and his church family at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. He was an active member and attended St. Andrew’s for over 50 years. He served in leadership positions, sang in the choir, and was a life member of the United Methodist Men. Grant was also a proud member of Osceola Lodge #515 Free and Accepted Masons of PA. 

Grant’s legacy of love, loyalty, and laughter will live on through all who knew and loved him. A viewing will be held at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, from 5-7:30pm. Due to Covid restrictions, a Celebration of Grant’s Life will take place this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 717 Tucson Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.