Bruce Edward Walker, 60, passed away suddenly on July 29th, 2012, while fishing in Alaska. Bruce was born in Mount Vernon, Washington on May 14, 1952 to Edwin and Eldora Walker. Due to his natural ability to strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere he went, Bruce was well known by many up and down the west coast from Alaska to California, but mostly he was well known in Mount Vernon, his hometown for 60 years, where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially around a backyard fire. Bruce graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970, where he was a member of the track and cross-country team. He continued the friendships he made there for the next 42 years. After high school, Bruce travelled around Europe with best friend Dave, and then attended ITT Peterson School of Business in Seattle. He met Sue, his spouse of 34 years while working together at a restaurant. Bruce worked at Texaco/Shell Oil Refinery for 27 years. Always expanding his interests and trying new things, he spent three summers fishing in Alaska. Bruce had a love for the natural world and particularly the Skagit Valley. He enjoyed hiking, hunting and fishing with his dad, brother and close friends. He also loved to share his hobbies of canning food and making birdhouses and lutefisk. Bruce is survived by his parents, Ed and Eldora Walker; wife Sue and children, Rae (Summer), Marrio and his wife Sue; grandchildren Claryssa, Chloe, Chelsea and Connor; brother Bob and sister Diane Schuh; nieces and nephews, Sara, Danny, Amy, Ryan, Eric, Adam, Sadie, Jesse, Brandon, and Tyler; best friends, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dave and Carali Moe; and many other beloved family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or: InvestEd, the 70 Fund MVHS 911 8th Ave. North Seattle, WA 98109 Viewing will be held for family and friend Monday, August 6th from 10:00am until 7:00pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon A memorial service will be held on Tuesday August 7th at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 1607 E. Division St. in Mount Vernon.