David Wade Walker

David Wade Walker Born: May 2, 1932 Died: April 5, 2024 Born in rural Alabama during the Great Depression, early in life Dave learned the value of good bird dogs and especially loved his Brittany Spaniels. In 1952 he joined the US Navy and saw active duty during the Korean Conflict. He spent most of the first half of his naval career aboard ships; the last half he was a recruiter and instructor of the US Naval Reserve. Preparing lesson plans and lecturing was his career, but bird dog training was his passion. During these years, he began to professionally train dogs on a part-time basis. When he retired from the Navy in 1973, he secured a VA loan, built a dog kennel, and began dog training full-time. Through the years Dave trained hundreds of dogs and helped countless dog owners and handlers become better dog people. The dogs he trained and helped others train were what he called “good citizens”—well-trained dogs. They did what they were supposed to do—hunting or field trialing—and were a joy to their owners. He always shared his knowledge and expertise with anyone who asked for help. Dave gave training seminars in Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and in several provinces of Canada. Dave wrote a well received book and produced a video series on his method of dog training, and his unique training techniques earned him and his dogs’ national recognition. He had three dogs inducted into The American Brittany Club Hall of Fame, and he bred four national amateur champions. Dave was recognized nationally and internationally for training all breeds and breeding quality Brittany Spaniels. Dave and his late wife Fay spent years training and showing dogs, and travelled the field trial circuit across the country. Dave loved to sit on the porch at the Cassia Road house and watch all the wild animals that came by…raccoons, hawks, deer, ducks, geese and wild turkeys. He had a garden that always grew tomatoes, and we had tomatoes year-around. Dave loved to fish, and fish was one of his favorite foods along with tomatoes and sweet potatoes. Peppermint candy and ice cream cones kept him sweet. All the people from Signature Hospice felt Dave was a very special person, and they were a great help with Dave during his final months. Dave is survived by his wife, Christine, and two sons, David Allan and Michael Lee, eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Donations in his memory can be made to The American Brittany Club located at 10370 Fleming Road, Carterville, IL 62918 and by phone at 618-985-2336.

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