LYMAN — Ramon Walker, Valley native, has spent his life in the field on equipment and on a horse owning and operating ranches near Lyman

Tapped as the grand marshal for the 2022 Pioneer Days Rodeos in Lyman, Walker’s life has come full-circle, traveling much of the world and then being honored with this position at home. This year’s rodeos kick off with the jack pot roping and barrel racking on Tuesday, July 19. They will be followed by the Junior Rodeo on Wednesday, July 20, the Qualifier on Thursday, June 21 and the Fnals on Saturday, July 23.

Walker was born Dec 23, 1935, in Lyman. He is the oldest son of Ellis and Kimba Walker. He attended Lyman schools and graduate from Lyman High School where he enjoyed running track, (he held the Lyman High School record for the mile run for many years), playing in a jazz band with his friends, and from the stories he has told his kids, he enjoyed a lot of mischievous fun as well.

After graduating from high school, Walker served a stint in the U. S. Army in the 2^nd Armored Division. After returning home, he bought his own ranch just east of Lyman. He married Verla Tingey in 1957, and they raised four children.

Walker now owns and operates both the ranch he bought after serving in the Army and the ranch that has been in the family for 124 years, a ranch he grew up on and helping his father. Walker raised cattle and sheep for many years but his true passion was Black Angus cattle. He got into pure-bred cattle and after several years of hard work, he had several cows that became path finder cattle (leaders in the Angus association cattle program.) He sold many of his Pure-bred Angus bulls locally and in surrounding states.

Walker also worked at FMC as a production foreman and was one of five foremen who started the mono plant. He retired from FMC after 27 years.

He is an accomplished mechanic and is considered a doctor of mechanics. He worked for many years as a mechanic and can fix just about anything, his daughter reported.

Walker and his wife Verla enjoyed traveling. He has been to 47 states, swam in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Alaska and both sides of Hawaii. He has been an avid water skier and loves the outdoors.

Climbing another mountain, Walker climbed Kings Peak at the age of 73. He recently completed an ATV adventure, with his family, traveling from Lyman to the Canadian border and the Mexican border on ATV’s and taking mostly back roads.          

Another talent Walker possesses is a quality bass singing voice and because of this has performed in several community plays.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Walker would say his greatest accomplishments in life are marrying Verla and being blessed with their four children, 20 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.