Obituary
On a brilliantly sunny spring day, Dawn Kay (Merica) Walker was welcomed happily into the world by Donna and Merle Merica in Columbia City, Indiana. She was the middle child of three. At 3 years old, her family (including extended paternal family) moved to Riverside, California, everyone living in close proximity. Dawn was able to grow up with the love and adventures of a large family and held many fun memories of that time. She was a bit of a self-proclaimed “tomboy” in childhood, playing in dirt and using the heads of her dolls for games of baseball. In high school she participated in sports such as track and softball, and worked various jobs including at a chiropractic office and an A&W. In 1978 she graduated from Ramona High School.
Around the year of 1980, Dawn’s father, Merle, had business dealings with a man named Edgar Ronald Walker. Dawn met him shortly after, and despite a large age difference, the two became fast friends. Edgar gifted her a horse, love blossomed, and on June 28th of 1980, they eloped to Las Vegas, throwing caution to the wind. The couple proudly and happily had five children together, living in California near Dawn’s family. In 1990 they sought greener pastures and bought a small farm in Roseburg, Oregon, planting acres of strawberries and tending plums, aged walnut trees, and remodeling an old house to their dreams. Whatever Dawn dreamed or desired, Edgar would build when he was able. This resulted in a house that was never completed, but was a castle to its inhabitants, nonetheless. Dawn looked back at this as one of the happiest times in her life, watching children grow and enthusiastically being involved in their many activities and interests. She was the first to volunteer to chaperone school trips, unfailing in her praise of her kids’ accomplishments, and proud of the many miles she drove in her old van as she rushed kids to and from all of their activities. It was such a busy time for her, and she adored it. Dawn held a great affection for her children’s friends as well, making space in the van if they needed a ride, and even welcoming one to live with them for a time.
2001 was a painful year for Dawn beginning with Edgar’s passing in May. Now a grief-stricken widow with very little means, Dawn and her children sold the farm and moved to a small house in Roseburg. She worked various jobs over the years from receptionist in retirement homes, to sales associate in a medical equipment shop, finally to a bus driver for the school district. Dawn loved her family more than anything and worked tirelessly to provide for them.
Three years later, Dawn married David Norman in a small ceremony in Roseburg, Oregon on July 24, 2004. They traveled to Hawaii and also were able to enjoy a cruise to Alaska together. Eventually they moved to Gasquet, California, where they lived for several years. Dawn’s weekly highlight was to visit the community pool in Crescent City, where she made many dear friends over the years. She passed away on the 29th of March, 2024, at the age of 63, due to a sudden illness of Sepsis.
Dawn will be remembered for her fierce and unyielding love and friendship, gentle compassion, warm personality and big heart. She didn’t care for the conventions of society and was happy to throw caution to the wind, an adventurer in her own way. She was a giver of boisterous laughter, easy smiles, general silliness, and the friend who answers the phone on its first ring- unless she was napping, then it was the second or third ring. Her grandchildren will remember her for copious gifts and timely birthday cards, and tight but gentle hugs.
She is survived by her second husband, her two siblings, 5 children, 22 grandchildren, 1 stepdaughter and one stepson. She has 1 great grandchild on the way