J Marlan Walker

J. Marlan Walker, 94, Henderson, NV, passed away April 24, 2023.

A family visitation and viewing will be held at the Water Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Henderson, Friday, April 28, from 7-9 PM.  Viewing Saturday, April 29, 8:45 till 9:45 with Funeral Services at 10. Interment will be the same day at Hurricane City Cemetery, Hurricane, UT. 

Marlan was born November 3, 1928, in Hurricane, UT to Clave Daniel and Hazel Workman Walker. His childhood was spent there and in Caliente, NV where his father worked for the railroad.  He graduated from Hurricane High School where he and Colleen Heaton were high school sweethearts. They were married January 2, 1947, in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She preceded him in death.

He moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1952. Marlan became a respected force for good as a high school teacher and active community volunteer.  He was recognized over the years by numerous organizations for his contributions of time and talents and was a friend and counselor to many. 

Marlan served his church community in many ways throughout his life. At a young age he served as Bishop, then Counselor in the Stake Presidency, Stake President, Counselor in the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple Presidency, Patriarch and Temple Sealer. He served abroad with his wife Colleen as Mission President in Monterrey Mexico, Temple President in Lima, Peru, and Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency in Mexico City, Mexico. He also served a Spanish-speaking mission in the American Southwest Mission in his youth. Marlan and Colleen developed a great love for the Hispanic people through their many missions and won friends across many nations.  

Marlan loved all the people around him and devoted his professional life as an educator to thousands of students as a language teacher, mentor, and friend. He achieved his bachelor’s degree at the University of The Americas in Mexico City, Mexico, and his master’s and PhD Degrees from Brigham Young University. He taught Spanish and Latin at Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada for 36 years before retiring in 1989. 

He organized and led educational and recreational excursions over many decades, beginning with cultural exchange programs for students. Later, he led a wide variety of youth and adult trips to Spanish-speaking countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Spain. In addition, thousands of participants share fond memories of his “Back East” trips organized for high-school-age students of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Marlan always showed a great zest for life, a captivating charm, and booming voice that couldn’t be mistaken. His restless energy was positive and captivating to those around him. Most who met him considered him a friend. He had a prodigious memory and an uncanny ability to cultivate and retain relationships throughout his life.

In more intimate, home settings, Marlan loved music and entertained friends and family frequently playing his guitar and singing with his beloved wife, Colleen.    

Through it all, Marlan was inspired by his life-long, personal devotion to his Savior Jesus Christ. Those who knew Marlan recognized he “went about, doing good”. (Acts 10:38)

He is survived by his six children, Marlan C. (Tina); Randall H. (Terry); Lori Jones (Chris); Dean L. (Vicky); Christina Johnson (Kevin); Brian E. (Deanne); 30 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. His siblings, Eldon Walker and Verlene Sullivan preceded him in death.

J. Marlan Walker, 94, Henderson, NV, passed away April 24, 2023.

A family visitation and viewing will be held at the Water Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Henderson, Friday, April 28, from 7-9 PM.  Viewing Saturday, April 29, 8:45 till 9:45 with Funeral Services at 10. Interment will be the same day at Hurricane City Cemetery, Hurricane, UT. 

Marlan was born November 3, 1928, in Hurricane, UT to Clave Daniel and Hazel Workman Walker. His childhood was spent there and in Caliente, NV where his father worked for the railroad.  He graduated from Hurricane High School where he and Colleen Heaton were high school sweethearts. They were married January 2, 1947, in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She preceded him in death.

He moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1952. Marlan became a respected force for good as a high school teacher and active community volunteer.  He was recognized over the years by numerous organizations for his contributions of time and talents and was a friend and counselor to many. 

Marlan served his church community in many ways throughout his life. At a young age he served as Bishop, then Counselor in the Stake Presidency, Stake President, Counselor in the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple Presidency, Patriarch and Temple Sealer. He served abroad with his wife Colleen as Mission President in Monterrey Mexico, Temple President in Lima, Peru, and Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency in Mexico City, Mexico. He also served a Spanish-speaking mission in the American Southwest Mission in his youth. Marlan and Colleen developed a great love for the Hispanic people through their many missions and won friends across many nations.  

Marlan loved all the people around him and devoted his professional life as an educator to thousands of students as a language teacher, mentor, and friend. He achieved his bachelor’s degree at the University of The Americas in Mexico City, Mexico, and his master’s and PhD Degrees from Brigham Young University. He taught Spanish and Latin at Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada for 36 years before retiring in 1989. 

He organized and led educational and recreational excursions over many decades, beginning with cultural exchange programs for students. Later, he led a wide variety of youth and adult trips to Spanish-speaking countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Spain. In addition, thousands of participants share fond memories of his “Back East” trips organized for high-school-age students of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Marlan always showed a great zest for life, a captivating charm, and booming voice that couldn’t be mistaken. His restless energy was positive and captivating to those around him. Most who met him considered him a friend. He had a prodigious memory and an uncanny ability to cultivate and retain relationships throughout his life.

In more intimate, home settings, Marlan loved music and entertained friends and family frequently playing his guitar and singing with his beloved wife, Colleen.    

Through it all, Marlan was inspired by his life-long, personal devotion to his Savior Jesus Christ. Those who knew Marlan recognized he “went about, doing good”. (Acts 10:38)

He is survived by his six children, Marlan C. (Tina); Randall H. (Terry); Lori Jones (Chris); Dean L. (Vicky); Tina Johnson (Kevin); Brian E. (Deanne); 30 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. His siblings, Eldon Walker and Verlene Sullivan preceded him in death. 

Condolences may be left at an online guestbook at __________________.

(J Marlan Walker memorial page on Facebook at tinyurl.com/msazephr  )

In lieu of flowers, donations to Marlan and Colleen’s charity Las Gaviotas would be appreciated. Donate here: Las Gaviotas or through Zelle at deanwalker0415@gmail.com