JOHN WALTER

JOHN WALTER

Watkins

Legendary rodeo stock contractor and cowboy, John Charles Walter, 72, of Kirksville, Mo., formerly of Watkins, passed away

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, Mo. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 p.m.. Burial will be at the Indian Hill Cemetery in Gifford, Mo. The family would like to invite friends to share in a celebration of Walt's life at the Days Inn in Kirksville

directly following the

burial.

John Walter was born on July 3, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Raymond and Rita (Murrin) Walter. He graduated from Blairstown High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Mary Prestien on July 1, 1962, in Watkins, Iowa. On Sept. 3, 1965, the young couple had their

only daughter, Lex Ann. By 1968, he had accumulated 40 head of bucking

horses. In that same year, he combined forces with a group of partners and formed an amateur rodeo company, Mid States Rodeo Company. John bought out his partners and continued to produce amateur rodeos until 1979 when he bought his professional rodeo stock contractor's card. For over four decades, he produced hundreds of PRCA, college and high school rodeos. He sent a large number of bucking horses and bulls to the National Finals Rodeo.

He is survived by his daughter, Lex Anderson; and grandson, John Riggin Anderson of Kirksville; siblings, Janet Kelly, Dorothy Franzenburg, Dan Walter, Allen Walter, T.J. Walter, Mary Rita Krommingo, Steven Walter, Roger Walter, Kevin Walter and Mark Walter; as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; granddaughter, Dakota; sister, Karen; brother, Doug; brother-in-law, Colin Kelly; nephew, Chris Kelly; and niece, Stephanie Walter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to the John Walter Memorial Fund, La Plata State Bank, La Plata, MO 63549.