Diana Sue Walker's Obituary
Diana Sue Walker passed from this life on Saturday, December 11, 2021, in Tulsa, OK at the age of 80.
Diana was born November 20, 1941, to Arthur and Lauretta Gillespie in Coffeyville, KS. She married Jim Walker on July 20, 1957, (d 1993) then worked at HD Lee Company to help support her young family. They had one son, Kevin Walker (wife Gerri of Catoosa), and a daughter, Kim Johnston (husband John of Owasso) in Kansas before moving to Tulsa, OK to seek a better opportunity for their future.
She continued to work hard as a seamstress, then as an assembly worker, and had another daughter, Kellie Wendland (husband Tom of Broken Arrow). During that period, she became a champion for fair wages and better working conditions in the garment industry.
The couple started their own business ESCO Machine and Manufacturing out of their garage which grew into a thriving business in Broken Arrow before the oil bust of the early ‘80s. Out of a spirit of entrepreneurship they partnered with two others to develop and launch Stairmaster Inc. After the success of Stairmaster, she retired to spend time traveling and enjoying her grandchildren and family.
She is survived by her brother Leon Gillespie and wife Pam of Broken Arrow, OK and Gary Gillespie and wife Janie of Augusta, KS, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren who she adored. She was preceded in death by her brother Mitch Gillespie of South Coffeyville, OK. His wife Roxie resides in South Coffeyville, OK.
She was a wonderful cook who carried on family traditions with meals and holidays where everyone was welcome at the table. She loved gardening, animals, reading, crossword puzzles, the wellbeing of our planet, and cared deeply about the future of our country
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