John L. Walker, Jr., of Rockford departed this earthly life on Saturday, November 20, 2021.  He was born July 6, 1948, the son of John L. Walker, Sr. and Luella (Bell) Walker.

John lived his entire life in Rockford, graduating from Auburn High School in one of the earliest classes for the new high school.  He excelled in sports, such as basketball and track.  An active member of the "Little Center" or Washington Park, he always sang the praises of sports and encouraged the youth to be active in sports to cure the idle mind syndrome.  John was never idle.  He kept his property, his cars, and his home neat and clean.  Old fashioned in many things, he believed in hard work for a day's dollar.  He was one of first Black draftsmen for W. F. & John Barnes, where he eventually retired.  He continued working as an electrician, a cable installer, a Census taker, a school bus driver, Septran driver and many other jobs, even retiring from Chrysler Corporation after working there for 10 years.

John loved his family, and was always the one who strived to keep them connected.  He made visiting family a priority, especially focusing on the youth and the "little ones".   He attended birthday parties and was a staple at all the family events, until his illness forced him to slow down. Although battling illnesses his whole life, he lost a kidney at 12, suffered a multitude of broken bones from a fall, and the effects from a series of operations; one of his enduring sayings, was "I'm not stopping and I'm not dropping".  The family will miss him dearly!

John leaves to cherish his memories and to relish in his gifts of wisdom, one daughter Lisa Olson, four sons, Shawn  (Mary) Walker, Edvon (Chasiti) Macklin, David Price, Robert (Jah'nae) Daniels. Brothers- Benny, Johnny, Robert, Roy (Grace) Walker and Sisters Doris, Loretta and Alberta Walker, and his Special Love Dorothy Hunter.  John's extended family includes stepdaughters Joy Smith, Sonia Batton, Pauline May, Nadine Hicks and Carolyn & Shirley McBride; also special twin nephews Joseph & Michael Whittie, a host of Nieces, Nephews, Grand nieces and nephews, a host of Cousins and other relatives and friends.

John was predeceased by his parents, brothers Clarence Duval, and Geary Walker; sisters Mattie Whittie and Rudell Walker, Niece Gwendolyn Whittie-Jones, Grandsons Adam Ross and  Tre'Von Macklin.

Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at No Cross No Crown 1228 17th Ave. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave.