Kenneth Dean Walker

Kenneth Dean Walker, 59, of Visalia, California, entered into eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 14th, 2025. Ken was born in Artesia, California on April 21st, 1966, the son of Viola and Dale Walker. He had one sister, Connie Bangma. The family lived in Artesia, California and Ken attended Nazarene Christian School until 1975 when the family moved to Chino, California where Ken attended Ontario Christian School. He was very involved in sports throughout his childhood and into high school, playing both football and soccer. During high school and following graduation in 1984, Ken worked in the family railroad tie business with his parents. Ken began dating Joanne Knevelbaard, the love of his life, shortly after he graduated from high school. They were married on March 31st, 1989 at Chino Valley Reformed Church in Chino, California. During their early years of marriage, Ken and Joanne worked alongside each other in their family businesses and welcomed three children. In 2000, the family had an opportunity to move to Hanford, California and establish Valley View Farms with Joanne's parents. Ken enjoyed the dairy business and had great relationships with those he worked with, many of whom felt like family to him. The dairy was sold in 2022 and Ken began a new venture in the citrus industry alongside his son. Ken and Joanne enjoyed 36 years of marriage and together had three children, Alyssa Shaw married to Cody, Kaitlyn Walker, and Blake Walker married to Marissa. Family was really important to Ken and he loved spending time with his children, his four grandchildren, Charlotte, Taytin, Hudson, and Elliott, as well as many of his nieces and nephews. Ken was known for his kind and friendly demeanor as well as his quick wit and joking personality. His favorite hobbies included traveling with Joanne, golfing, trap shooting, fishing, getting Dutch Bros with his dogs, and driving around the citrus orchards. Ken could always be found at his children's sporting events, cheering them on, no matter the sport or the location. Ken also really enjoyed coaching football and found purpose in mentoring high school athletes. He was able to coach at Ontario Christian High School as well as Central Valley Christian High School for many years until his own son started playing and he decided to hang up the whistle. Ken also participated in a fantasy football group for over 27 years with some of his best friends. The family would like to express their gratitude to friends and family for their love and support during this difficult illness as well as to the many doctors and nurses who took care of him over the past few months. Ken was a man of strong faith and had full assurance of where he was going. His family rests in the peace of knowing he is home with his Lord and Savior. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Central Valley Christian School Endowment (5600 West Tulare Avenue Visalia California 93277 - (559) 734-9481). Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 at Rise Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Kenneth Dean Walker

April 21, 1966 - June 14, 2025