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Jeffrey Walker
Born: 2/15/1957
Died: 11/12/2025
Age: 68
Community: Flint, MI
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WALKER, Jeff L.– Of Flint, age 68, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at his residence.
Memorial visitation will be held 4-6pm Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grand Blanc Choral Society.
Jeff was born in Pittsburg on February 15, 1957, the son of the late Robert and Darlene (Blackwell) Walker.
Jeff had a long and distinguished career as a concert organist, choral conductor, and church musician. He attended Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music.
In 1980, he won the prestigious American Guild of Organists National Competition in Minneapolis. He played solo organ concerts all over the United States including Riverside Church, St. Thomas Church, and Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, First Baptist and Girard College in Philadelphia, Longwood Botanical Gardens (the Pierre DuPont estate) in Kennett Square, PA, National City Christian and Chevy Chase Presbyterian in Washington DC. Following his AGO competition win, he was invited to play a concert in Bristol, England.
As a professional church musician, Jeff's esteemed career included 18 years as Organist and Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Flint, and ten years as Organist/Choirmaster at Christ Church Detroit, where he directed a semi-professional choir. For five years, Jeff was organist at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc, MI where he continued to thrill listeners (as he always did) with his brilliant playing.
As a choral conductor, he directed the Windsor University and Symphony Choruses, performing the Brahms "Requiem" (in German) and the Faure "Requiem" with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Jeff was beginning his 10th year as Co-Director of the Flint Symphony Chorus.
He played organ, harpsichord, and celesta in the Flint Symphony Orchestra for more than 30 years as well as performing with the Ann Arbor, Saginaw Bay, Lansing, Windsor, and Detroit symphonies.
Jeff was the proud father of Marcus and grandfather of William, who both reside in Lansing, MI. Marcus's mother, Ellen, was a concert pianist and traveled much of Jeff's musical journey by his side. Jeff was a great lover of dogs and his best pal in the whole world was his beagle, Buddy.
Jeff was a wickedly clever Trivial Pursuit player and an avid Star Trek fanatic. He was a great dinner party host and when you heard the shake of the cocktail shaker, you knew the party was about to begin. He loved to cook and had a great passion for storytelling with his friends, chief among them fellow organist, Don Kaye.
Jeff very generously donated his vast experience and professionalism as conductor/music director for the Grand Blanc Choral Society's “Messiah", which through his efforts, has established itself as a highly respected musical event. Drawing on all the love and support from our singer’s community, Mr. Walker’s long-time partner and musical assistant, Nada Radakovich asks us to please remember all of the beautiful things Jeff taught us about making music and to always carry this with us.
Living Relatives:
Marcus Walker, Son
William Walker, Grandson
Timothy and Luann McCauley, Cousins
Catherine McCauley, (nee' Blackwell) Aunt
Karen Huston, Cousin
Pattie Huston, (nee' Blackwell) Aunt
Deceased members of immediate family:
Robert D. Walker, Father
N. Darlene Walker, Mother
The performance of Haendel's 'Messiah' will be held in Jeff honor. It will take on November 23rd at 4:00 p.m., at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439. Members of the Flint Symphony Orchestra will be playing. |
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| Visitation |
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11/18/2025 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
| Memorial visitation will be held 4-6pm Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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