NORMAN — Brian Jay Walke, 55, of Norman, OK, passed away early Friday morning, July 2nd, 2010. He was born June 3rd, 1955 to Joyce and E.P. Walke. He graduated from Del City High School in 1973. He received a B.A. in Radio and Television Journalism in 1978 from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma in 1990. Brian married the love of his life, Melody, in 1982. From 1979-1985, Brian served in various positions within the news department at KEBC-FM, where he began his award-winning career in journalism. During that time, he developed, directed, and produced KEBC’s weekly news magazine program, Newsreel 94, which won more than 25 local, state, and national awards. He continued to implement his tireless commitment to truth and excellence while working as the News Director at KGOU-FM from 1985-1992, where again, he and his colleagues were honored with numerous prestigious awards; these included a 1989 Ohio State Award for a documentary on health care. Brian further established his legacy as News Director at KTOK-AM, where he directed an investigative series, “Secrets of Justice,” that won several regional awards, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award. Despite all of his hard-earned acclaim, Brian parted with his career as a passionate journalist in order to raise his two young children. Whereas he was a great journalist, he was an even better father and husband. Always the selfless man, he gave everything he had to ensure that others were happy. While caring for his son and daughter, Brian still found time to make an impact in the community too. He was an avid proponent for the protection of individual rights, and demonstrated his zeal for justice by becoming a founding board member of FOI, Oklahoma, and serving on the board of the First Amendment Congress in 2006. He was an active PTA member, coached recreational soccer teams, was the President of the Norman Athletic Association in 2004 and 2005, served on the JayMac board of directors for the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism in 2002 and 2003, and served on Norman Public Schools’ Citizen Action Committee in 1997 and 1998. He was also an extremely gifted writer, whose work consisted of novels, newspaper editorials and articles, short stories, and poetry. Brian was a kind-hearted man, whose rare blend of humility, pride, passion, integrity, and humor seeped into every aspect of his life. He had the uncanny ability to infect everyone he encountered with happiness. Brian loved music, books, and academia, but his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Brian is survived by his wife, Melody; son, Devon, and daughter, Maliah; parents, Joyce and E.P. Walke; and two brothers, Greg and Geary. Funeral services will be held at Sunnylane United Methodist Church in Del City, OK on Tuesday, July 6th, at 2:00pm. A celebration of his life will be held later that night. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brian J. Walke Scholarship for Ethics in Journalism, and sent to Ford Funeral Service at 305 S. Sooner Rd., Midwest City, OK 73110.
Submitted by family
