Walter L. Kroon, Sr., 89

In honor of what would have been Walter L. Kroon’s 89th birthday.

Walt passed away on Aug. 15, 2020, from kidney disease complicated by COVID-19, which has prevented the gathering of friends and family. Walt was born on Oct. 9, 1931, in Lincoln, Neb., the only child of parents Merle and Berniece Kroon. The musical talent displayed his entire life was first observed when he was only six years of age and he began picking out tunes on the family piano that he had heard on the radio. After evaluation by a music teacher, he began piano lessons which were continued with leading teachers, wherever he was. It was determined God had blessed him with both perfect pitch and a photographic mind for music, which he used in the Lord’s service for the balance of his life.

In 1944, the family relocated to San Diego when his father was assigned to the Naval Radar School there during WWII. During his school years, Walt was a member of the San Diego Youth Orchestra, as both a pianist and double bass player. He also was very active in Hoover High’s ROTC program, graduating in 1949 and completing one year of college before he enlisted in the Navy. He spent two assignments in Guam, during which he organized a musical group made up of several musicians from professional dance bands, who were also in the Navy temporarily stationed in Guam. It was there he also began teaching himself to play the large organ available on the island — a love affair that lasted the rest of his life. He completed his naval career in 1954 after serving aboard the USS Fort Marion, LSD as Yeoman 1st and LDO to the captain.

Walt married Joanne (Jodie) Clardy on Feb. 13, 1955, in San Diego, where they made their home until 2004, when they relocated to the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area. Being sales-oriented, Walt joined State Farm Insurance in 1959 and was a very successful agent for over 40 years, retiring in 1999. His wife Jodie was one of his secretaries, both in the office and at home. They were blessed to be together for 65 ½ years of marriage.

Music and the organ were his passions, and he was the resident organist in the San Diego area at Plymouth Congregational/United Church of Christ for 13 years, Skyline Wesleyan Church for 27 years, and Emmanuel Faith Community Church for 10 years, as well as at Spokane Valley Baptist Church and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, playing his last service just 15 days before his passing. He also felt privileged to play the organ several times as part of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra whenever the score called for use of the “King of Instruments.” With his rich bass singing voice he anchored and recorded with both the Otis Skillings Singers (eight voices singing eight-part harmony), and gospel quartet music with the Glory Bound Quartet of Skyline Wesleyan Church.

Being the eclectic man he was, Walt kept busy outside of his State Farm office and music, as he and Jodie joined in successive years of square dancing, ice dancing and even competitive ballroom dancing with the National Smooth Dancers of America in California while in their 60s. They enjoyed deep sea fishing and they owned a boat and were very active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in San Diego, with Walt being a Flotilla commander, branch chief in charge of vessel exams and obtaining recruits for the Academy among other responsibilities. Walt also obtained his private pilot’s license and loved all aviation.

Walt is survived by beloved wife Jodie and children, Walter (Lee) Kroon Jr. (Sally), Cynthia Hansen (Rick), and Julie Shapery (Steve); grandchildren, Dhyana Kroon, Lindsay Hebel (Max), Peter Daniels (Kelsey), and Ella Shapery, along with six great-grandchildren.

Since all the children live out of state, a memorial service will be held at a later date when travel and public gatherings are no longer restricted or possibly health endangering.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Walter’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com