David Seth Walker

We mourn the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, David Seth Walker. He was born on September 12, 1940, in Atlanta, Georgia and died on November 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was pre-deceased by his father David R. Walker, his mother Mary Laura Boswell, his sister Francis Hole and infant children Maria and Matthew Walker.    David graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1958 and entered Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, the golf team and the swimming team.  During his senior year, Walker was elected Chapel Speaker and, because of that position, met and introduced many notable people, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall, Arnold Palmer and Billy Graham. He graduated in June of 1962 and on August 26, 1962, married Joan LoBianco Walker, who he met when he was a freshman in college.  Thereafter, he entered Stetson University College of Law from which he graduated in 1965.    David served on the Gulfport City Council as President, was an Assistant State Attorney, volunteered for the Boy Scouts and was President of the Science Center of Pinellas County.    In 1971, David was appointed to the County Judge's Court, making him the youngest judge in the State of Florida. He transitioned to the Circuit Court wherein he served till his retirement in 2001.  At that time, he was the longest serving judge in the state.  After retirement, David continued to serve the legal community as a senior judge. During his years of service David was awarded the Victim's Advocacy Award, Judicial Appreciation Award and Excellence in Family Law Award.  He served as Administrative Judge for each of the five divisions of the Pinellas County Circuit Court.    Prior to David's retirement, he received a Master's Degree in History from USF and was initiated into Pi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society.  He served as an adjunct Professor at USF where he taught history for fourteen years.    For many years David organized trips to North Carolina where he and a selected group of men would gather to walk the woods, play "low stakes/high pride" poker, cook specialty dishes and tell outrageous stories. The Walkers also enjoyed hosting an annual Christmas Eve Party where he gave fairly credible Elvis Presley impressions.    David and Joan enjoyed spending time at their lakeside home in the mountains of North Carolina with family and dear friends.  They also enjoyed boating, golfing, hiking and searching for waterfalls.    David was a member of The Cathedral of St. Jude, Knights of Colombus, Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches, and numerous other organizations. He enjoyed history, reading, chocolate, Wake Forest sports, his children and grandchildren.  He and Joan were privileged to visit over fifty foreign countries and most of the United States during their travels.    David is survived by his wife, Joan LoBianco Walker, his daughter Stacy Walker (Paula Mongeon), his son, Jason Walker (Karen), his daughter, Alexandra Walker (Josh Benevento) and his granddaughters, Caitlin, Julianna and Kaia Walker.  He is also survived by his sister, Leslie Goss, brothers-in-law, James LoBianco (Stephanie), Kenneth LoBianco (Patricia) John LoBianco, Jr. (Robin), cousin Judith DaSylva and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.    Our family would like to express its deepest gratitude to all the medical personnel involved in David's care.    Visitation will be at Anderson-McQueen Funeral home at 2201 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N between 6:30 and 8:30PM on Thursday, December 5th.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Cathedral of St. Jude, 5815 5th Ave N on Friday, December 6th at 10:30AM with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street N.      In lieu of flowers the family would suggest donations to The Cathedral of St. Jude, The Florida Orchestra or the Free Clinic.

To watch David's service again, please visit this link:  https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f24117391371019