Bonnie Walker

Cornea donor

Age 63

Donated on 06/01/2003

Honored by Donate Life California

Bonnie Walker enlisted in the United States Navy after graduating from high school and was assigned to dental school once she completed her basic training. The Dental Office at the Naval Station in San Diego was where she met her husband of 42 years. After marrying, Bonnie retired from the military and became a stay-at-home mother to her five children. Bonnie loved to watch parades, and every New Year’s Day, her family would watch the Rose Parade. The floats were her favorite and being on one would have “tickled her pink.” At the age of 63, Bonnie passed away from cardiac arrest. She was able to donate her corneas, which gave the gift of sight to two individuals. Bonnie is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bonnie’s Story

Born Bonnie Lee Kleindolph on February 6, 1940, in Muscatine, Iowa, Bonnie spent part of her childhood growing up in Iowa and part in Tucumcari, New Mexico after her parents were divorced. After she graduated from high school, she enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Maryland for basic training. Once she completed her training, she was assigned to dental school and placed at the Dental Office at the Naval Station in San Diego, where she met her future husband, Robert Walker.

In 1961, Robert and Bonnie were married and Bonnie left the Navy to begin their family. They spent a short time in Long Beach, and then settled down in El Cajon, California, where they raised five children. They were married 42 years.

While Robert continued his 22-year career in the Navy, Bonnie was a stay-at-home mom and was deeply involved with her children’s education and activities. She was a very giving and unselfish parent who took great pride in being actively involved with all the school and extra-curricular activities of her children.

Bonnie loved to read and watch parades on TV. Every New Year’s Day, the family would watch the Rose Parade. The floats were her favorite and being on one of them would have “tickled her pink” as she would say.

Bonnie was 63 when she passed away on June 1, 2003 from cardiac arrest. She was able to donate her corneas, which went to two different people. It is wonderful that she was able to give the gift of sight to two precious recipients.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Robert, her five children, Tanya, Tammy, Sherina, Robert II and Kristina, her brother Roy, seven grandchildren, Cody, Cole, Brianna, Tristan, Cheyenne, Connor and Emma, and three great-grandchildren, Zoe and Layla.