Stephen Walker (Earle)

November 6, 1932 - July 18, 2025

The world of sports lost a man known best as "COACH WALKER."

He came to Alaska as a teenager and lettered in track and basketball at Anchorage High School, the only high school in Anchorage. After high school, at Baylor University, he played freshman basketball. He transferred to Whitman College playing basketball, baseball and football where he was awarded THE LITTLE ALL-AMERICAN title.

After graduating, he did his patriotic duty in the Army and was stationed at what was then called Ft. Richardson. Continuing his athleticism, he represented the Army on its football team, the ski team and the handball courts. He was granted an early discharge and entered his first real profession, a teaching and coaching job for the Anchorage School District where he continued for 35 years before he retired. As a coach, his successes were many, especially being a real teacher of the game of basketball winning, many championships in boys' and girls' basketball, and in the early days when the school district had a ski team. His last job for the Anchorage School District was Athletic Director at Dimond High School.

After retiring from the Anchorage School District, Earle coached at Alaska Pacific University where he showed his love for Alaska with the statement "I'm an Alaskan and will try to recruit in Alaska." He loved Alaska for all its beauty and the opportunities he experienced watching it grow from one small high school to many.

Besides his professional jobs, Earle played in The Anchorage Baseball League where one season he was named the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER from the Umpires Association. He was known for his skills on t h e handball court and the golf course. He taught Alpine skiing at Arctic Valley and Alyeska. While earning his Master's Degree at Western State, he taught skiing at Crested Butte and assisted in ski classes on the college campus hills.

When Don Winchester was informed of Coach's death, he responded: "I had the privilege of playing basketball and football for Coach Walker beginning in 1966 when Dimond High School first opened its doors. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The life lessons I learned from Coach had a tremendous impact in my life and the lives of other players: integrity, work ethic, character, loyalty, punctuality, and commitment. Coach Walker was a respected teacher of teachers, a role model. He loved team practices and viewed games as the report card for the preparation and team progress. He was a great competitor, but he prized character development above winning and losing. He taught that players should always be a positive representation for their team, school and community.

Coach Walker was inducted into The Alaska School Activities Hall of Fame Class of 1971 in the 'Coach' category, a well-deserved honor for a remarkable person with a remarkable coaching career."

The above summary delineates Coach's professional life. The following, from of a fairly new family member, depicts Earle's family life: "Dad-in-Law is the kindest, most compassionate, caring loving and selfless man ever!"

His last years were happily spent living in Settlers Bay where he continued his love for golfing, for gardening, for cribbage tournaments and corn ball tournaments with family and mostly his love for his wife Marie, his children: Jody and son-in-law Chris, Grant and daughter-in-law Dawn, and Greg and daughter-in-law Carol, and his grandchildren: Moriah, Josiah, and Danielle, and his Great Grandchildren: Meadow, Ramona, Allienna, and Agustine.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given in Coach Walker's name to The Dimond High School Foundation in care of Donald Winchester at 205 East Dimond Boulevard #593 Anchorage, Alaska 99515.

Arrangements were handled by Angelus/Valley Memorial Park in Anchorage.