Murray Kay Walker, 74

Murray Kay Walker, 74, passed away on Aug. 31, 2014.

Murray was born July 24, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the fifth of six children born to Golden and Ada Walker, and had a love of cars from a very early age.

When he was 17, Murray dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army for two years of active duty. When a position became available in the motor pool, he was quickly advanced to Department Head. Murray left the position with excellent marks for his work. He then signed on for two years in the Army reserves, and two years Army standby.

In 1960, Murray met the love of his life, Lana Jean Bonser of Laclede, Idaho. They married on May 27, 1961. In the early years of their marriage, Murray took a few jobs as a mechanic and by 1963 he had established his own mechanic shop in Newport, Wash., and later on in Spokane, Wash.

In 1973, Murray moved his family to Spirit Lake, Idaho, and began to build a very successful mechanic shop, vehicle recycling and parts business. He loved anything related to racing and participated in drag racing.

Murray later got into dirt track racing. He didn't drive them, but he enjoyed building the cars and had his good friend, Paul Tillberg, as his driver. They won many races and race championships with their orange and black No. 5 1967 Chevrolet Impala.

Murray loved to buy and restore classic Chevrolets. He showed them at car shows around the area and in Canada, and won many first place and top three trophies. He also had a great love for collecting Winchester rifles, hoarded many, and sold FEW. He liked tractors and would spend hours on them. NASCAR consumed him on the weekends.

Murray took pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Golden and Ada Walker; and his brothers, Joel Walker and Merrill Walker. He is survived by his wife, Lana Walker; his children Mike Walker (fiancee Debbie Ahlers) of Spirit Lake, Scott Walker (significant other Joy Davis) of Medical Lake, Wash., and Brenda Walker (significant other Britt Givens) of Wyoming; grandchildren Cameron Walker (Christine) of Spirit Lake, Nathan Walker of Missoula, Mont., and Katrina Berkhausen of Missoula; great-granddaughter Haedyn Walker; siblings Joanne Gibson (Ken) of Stockton, Calif., Edith Squires (Jack) of Spokane, Wash., and Lynn Walker of Libby, Mont.; mother-in-law Jean Bonser; and numerous nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law.

There will be no funeral, but there will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Walker home, 2857 Spirit Lake Cutoff Road in Spirit Lake. Please bring potluck.