Earl M. Walter Jr. "Junior" 81, passed away Thursday, Dec 1, 2016. Please join us on Friday, Dec. 9th from 4 to 9 pm for food, drinks, and a celebration of life in Junior's honor. The celebration will be held at The Carroll Building 418 Edison St. Brush, CO.

Junior was born Jan. 3, 1935 in Stoneham, Colorado to Earl M. Walter Sr. and Jesse May Walter. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1952. Junior attended Northeastern Junior College (NJC) and graduated with an associate's degree before entering the Army where he served 2 years in Germany. He met his wife Virginia Adele Jones (Ginny) in Sterling and they married in Atwood, CO in 1957.

On April 9, 1958 they welcomed their first daughter Garnet Irlene, and their first son Gary Alan on October 6, 1959. On September 8, 1963 their second daughter Kelly Lynn was born and on April 23, 1966 their third daughter Rebecca Sue was born. They welcomed second son and their final child, Patrick Wayne on November 6, 1970.
After serving in the military, Junior worked at Brush Livestock Exchange for approximately 23 years as the yard manager. He could also be found during this time helping colleagues on their ranches herding, feeding, and branding cattle. After LEI, in 1990 he went to work in construction with his son-in-law at Lefever Building Systems, and then transitioned to Buildings by Design in 2005.

Junior was a well-liked friend and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was known for being a "real" cowboy and the life of the party. In his younger years, Junior was an avid athlete, competing competitively in basketball, fast pitch softball, and roping. His favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals. He loved being outdoors, especially camping and fishing. His favorite place to be was Hidden Lakes with Ginny over their anniversary in late July, where they were routinely joined by friends and family. He could often be found on his back patio enjoying a cold beverage with family and friends. Junior loved watching his grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren play sports, and even played in a softball game with them as recently as last summer.

Junior is survived by his wife Ginny Walter of Brush, daughter Garnet Leys of Brush, daughter-in-law Leslie Walter of Wiggins, daughter Kelly and husband Tom Lefever of Black Forest, daughter Becky Hansen of Brush, and son Pat Walter and wife Cynda of Brush; his 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and numerous close family friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Earl Walter Sr.; siblings Mary Bloomgren, Marvin Walter, Eugene Walter, Harrison Walter, Irene Miller, and his son Gary Walter.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Junior's name at the Morgan Federal Bank, 321 Ensign St., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.