Dawn Walker Obituary

Longtime Pagosa Springs resident Dawn Walker died of complications from brain cancer on Monday, July 8, 2013. She was 56.

Ms. Walker was born to Franklin and Leah Walker on Jan. 9, 1957, in Durango. When Ms. Walker was in elementary school, they moved to Pagosa Springs, where she graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1975.

In 1975, she married LeRoy Lattin in Pagosa Springs. The marriage was annulled in 1976.

An avid hunter, Ms. Walker began hunting as a way to save money on groceries, then found that it was an activity she loved. She told many hunting stories of her hunting, her family said. When Ms. Walker worked as a secretary for Judd Cooney, an outdoor writer, photographer and hunting guide, she enjoyed rubbing elbows with celebrities of the hunting world.

Once she learned archery, it quickly became her favorite means of hunting. Ms. Walker once shot a "Robin Hood" at the Archery Club in Pagosa, splitting one arrow straight down the middle with another, her family said.

In 1977, she married Joaquin Garcia in Pagosa Springs. The marriage ended in divorce in 1986.

In the 1980s, Ms. Walker became a consultant for Mary Kay. She enjoyed the traveling and meeting new people.

In her early 40s, Ms. Walker became a Realtor, working for Herman Riggs and Associates.

"She was always looking for a chance to better herself and her circumstances," her family said. "She knew struggle was part of success and didn't mind the hard work. If Dawn got discouraged, she never let anyone know."

In 1992, Dawn married Michael Bates, whom she always considered her best friend, her family said. Although the marriage later ended in divorce, they spoke daily until her death.

"Her grandchildren Dorian, Janiah and Aleah Garcia were Dawn's greatest happiness," her family said. "She loved spending time with them, having "sleepovers," riding the Durango train, going to the movies and sharing her love of books and the outdoors."

Ms. Walker is survived by her children Joni Lattin of Durango and Lando Garcia of Pagosa Springs; former husband, Michael Bates, of Oklahoma; brothers Stan Walker of Pagosa Springs, John Volmer of Wyoming and Lewis Volmer of Oregon; sister Kathy Miles, of Estes Park; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis St., in Pagosa Springs. Friends are asked to wear something purple, her favorite color.