L.C. Walker was avid supporter of Peabody
By JOANNA BRAZIL
Director, Peabody Main Street Association
In this section of the newsletter, we have typically picked various individuals who are generously sharing their time and talents with us, making a difference in Peabody. Recently, a man by the name of Jack Walker died. We still are enjoying many of the gifts he gave this community. I'd like to remember him in this spotlight.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Jack Walker. As I asked around about him, it took no time at all to recognize the love and admiration that many in this community have for him.
Jack and his wife, Betty, and their two daughters, Carol (Heiman) and Sharon (Schmill), moved to Peabody in 1946, after they had purchased a pharmacy in downtown Peabody from Paul H. Lamb. Jack and Betty had lived in Wichita where Jack had worked at Beech Aircraft prior to their move to Peabody.
Walker's Corner Store was a nonprescription pharmacy that sold a little bit of everything from veterinary supplies, gifts, and cosmetics to cold and tasty drinks from the soda fountain. A bus stop was located in front of the store where passengers on route from Wichita to Kansas City or vice versa, could enjoy a cold drink or use the phone. Jack and Betty ran the store until their retirement in 1983.
Margie Seymour, longtime employee, recounts her time at Walker's Corner Store, "Jack loved Christmas in Peabody," she said. "He and the other business people would help put up decorations on Main Street. Jack would sometimes pipe music outside so there would be carols heard on the street." She adds, "We (at the store) would remember what people wanted for Christmas, so we could tell their spouses when they came in to the store."
Margie noted they watched several Peabody youngsters grow up visiting the store through the years. "We did a lot of baby-sitting," she said.
Walker's was a kid hang-out. They would stop by for the treats at the soda fountain. Boys would come in to tease the girls who worked there, or they would spend time reading the 25-cent Western magazines on display
Jack was an advocate for these youngsters. Many may not realize it but he tirelessly crusaded with other Kiwanis club members to get the Peabody Swimming Pool built. He wanted kids to have the opportunity to swim here in town.
I understood why the pool was such a passion for Jack after speaking with Betty and his granddaughter, Jamie Schmill, recently. Jack loved the water.
I think the thing that amazes me the most about him are the stories about his homemade pontoon boat that he and Betty used on three trips down the Mississippi River. One trip was with grandson Mark Heiman, another with friends Joan and John Berns, and the other with friend Opal May Gillet.
Jack's first homemade boat was a canoe, and eventually he built a sailboat and the pontoon boat.
"I remember he would wet down the wood every night, and use a rope to pull and bend the wood into shape," remembers Betty.
"Ahh, that's how he did it," replied Jamie.
He raced in regattas with some of his boats.
"He could make anything," remembers Jamie of her grandfather. She told me about the many tables, cabinets, and other wood-crafted projects he had made. She also recounted growing up water skiing off his pontoon boat with skis he had made. Indeed, Jack was a master woodworker and craftsman.
Jack was involved in numerous groups in Peabody. In addition to Kiwanis, Jack served Peabody on the city council and chamber of commerce. He was a volunteer fireman and member of the American Legion. He even helped with the construction of Peabody's golf course.
While I never met Jack, I appreciate the legacies he has left behind.
One of my favorite quotes is by John Ruskin: "What we think and believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do."
Jack "did" a lot, and he made many wonderful differences for our fine community with what he did.
Peabody Main Street Association wants to thank the Walker family for establishing a Memorial Fund to Peabody Main Street in memory of L.C. Walker. Betty said of her husband, "We could have given the memorial to all different kinds of organizations, but Jack would have wanted to see something good done in Peabody's downtown." A project has not yet been determined for these funds, but when it is, Jack will still be "making a difference in Peabody." So, Jack, thank you.
