Trulon Vernon Walker May 16, 1933 — April 19, 2024

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Trulon Vernon Walker passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving daughters, on Friday, April 19, in Mountain View. He was born on May 16, 1933, to Vernon John Walker and Iva Eardley Walker on the family ranch just outside of Lyman.

As the sixth of nine children growing up during the Great Depression, Trulon was familiar with, “Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do or do without.”

Trulon and his five brothers were no strangers to odd jobs, hard work and a little bit of mischief. The saying “work hard, play hard” may have even started on the Walker Ranch. All nine children had chores before and after school (a tradition Trulon would carry on with his own six children).

Trulon attended Lyman High School, where he enjoyed being a member of FFA and being part of the wrestling team. He thought wrestling was the sport most beneficial to a kid, because of the demanding work ethic it required.

After graduation in 1951, Trulon worked for Mountain Fuel, biding his time until he met the love of his life, Lula Mae Redmon. They were married on Sept. 26, 1952. Their vows were once again exchanged in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on Feb. 20, 1967, as they were sealed to one another for time and all eternity.

Trulon and Lula Mae moved around the valley and even to Evanston before purchasing and settling on the family ranch on “Walker Lane.” Their two-bedroom ranch house included a small kitchen and a short stroll to the outhouse. This family ranch became the perfect place to raise six feisty and hardworking daughters.

Trulon always had one full-time job and usually two. These one or two jobs did not include his ranch work, where he raised registered black angus cattle.

Trulon had the know-how to raise a beef and get it to the dinner table which, in turn, led to the creation of his successful business, The Meat Shop, in Urie.

Trulon was the original cowboy — the real deal. He appreciated a good horse and knew how to fine-tune it. Trulon carried his work ethic and pride of making do with less his whole life. He was an accomplished carpenter and was meticulous about his finished work.

Bridger Valley has been home to Trulon for almost 91 years. That’s a lot of working hours in one small place and it shows. From the construction of the dams, I-80, and most of the roads in the Uinta Mountains, Trulon has had his hand in the development of Bridger Valley.

His influence and character run deep as most people have their own special story about the “Original Cowboy.”

There may have been times where Trulon thought the Lord was playing a trick on him — sending six beautiful girls to grow up on a cattle ranch — but the love Trulon has for his posterity says it all.

He is survived by son-in-law, Mark Kirk; daughters, Sherry (Brent) Goble, Gayle (Phil) DeWitt, Trudy (Mike) Hickey, Teena (Ed) Bradshaw and Kris (Randy) Morrison; 24 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lula Mae; his oldest daughter, Janice Kirk; son-in-law, George Bradshaw; grandson, Chad DeWitt; his parents, Vernon and Iva Walker; and all eight of his siblings: Howard, Ethel, June, Blanche, Wayne, Alan, Gilbert and Ken.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Urie Stake Center. Viewings will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, and 9:30-10:45 a.m. Friday.

Interment will be in the Fort Bridger Cemetery.