Mr. Moses L. Walker

October 21, 1940 - January 16, 2020

****PLEASE NOTE---IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS SENDING DONATIONS TO THE: DOUGLASS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION,1000 W. Paterson Street-Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 website link: https://www.dcakalamazoo.com/donate/ or THE ECUMENICAL SENIOR CENTER, 702 N. Burdick Street-Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 website link: http://bit.ly/mosesdonation ****Visitation & Funeral Service Times and Location Listed Below*** Moses Lee Walker was born to Arthur and Erie Walker (who preceded him in death) on October 21, 1940 on the Northside of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He departed this life on January 16, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Devoted husband, adoring father and Papa, loving son, caring brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and loyal friend are words that only scratch the surface of Moses. He was a 1958 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. After serving 3 years in the US Army, he returned to Kalamazoo in 1964 and completed his undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University. He went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University in 1968 and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University in 1990. Moses was an advocate for the people and had strong ties to his community, especially the Northside. He was passionate and dedicated to ensuring the residents of the Northside had resources to quality healthcare, educational and employment opportunities. Moses served as the Executive Director of the Douglass Community Association from 1968 to 1978, which in his words, “set him up for success throughout the rest of his career”. He served as the first African American Executive Director and COO of Borgess Mental Health Center and later was promoted to the first African American President & CEO of the DeLano Clinic, VP of Borgess Behavioral Medicine Service and ended his career with Borgess as the first African American VP of Community Relations. Moses was a driving force in the founding of the Family Health Center and served on the Board since its inception in 1971. In honor of his dedicated service to the organization the building located on the Northside was renamed the Moses L. Walker Building in 2017. In addition to the Family Health Center Board, Moses was an active Board Member of Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo and over the years had served on numerous community boards. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 53 years Ruthie; children Tari, Mark and Stacy Walker; grandchildren Jasmine, Navia and Myah Walker; brother Alex Walker; sisters Birda Walker and Stella Dixon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Nellie Hurtt, Doris McCoy, Arthur Walker, Tommy Walker and Amos Walker. Moses Walker was a born leader and dedicated his life to mentoring others to step into their leadership potential. He was a straight shooter, if your dress was off, he told you. If your words were off, he told you, if your thinking was off, he corrected your thinking. Excellence was his expectation and as a result, his legacy will live through the many lives he touched. Moses L. Walker, Kalamazoo’s legend of “first”.