Mark Gregory Walker

For Mark, the stars were not for gazing. They were for touching. — friend Duffy Perkins Mark Gregory Walker, born February 25, 1968, in Greencastle, Indiana, passed away on January 3, 2025, in Annapolis, Maryland, at the age of fifty-six. Mark was the loving husband of Hector Barragan and best friend to their beloved dog, Lucy. He was the cherished son of Michael L. Walker and Judy Anne (Heath) Walker and a dear brother to Kristen D. (Paul) Barada. Mark was an incredibly proud uncle to nephews Heath, Sam, and Quinn Barada and a devoted brother-in-law, uncle, and great uncle in the Barragon family. A 1986 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School, Mark pursued his passion for engineering at Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1991. He later achieved a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Loyola Marymount University in 2004. Mark also held a 500-hour yoga teacher accreditation and aspired to pursue a master’s degree in yoga upon retirement. Beginning as a Purdue co-op electrical engineer at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, California, Mark joined Hughes upon graduation. His accomplished career culminated as Senior Director of Operations and Engineering at Kratos Defense and Security in Annapolis, Maryland. His work took him across the globe, instructing satellite ground control teams in countries including China, Australia, Israel, Qatar, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, France, Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan. Known for his intelligence, work ethic, kindness, sharp sense of humor, and infectious laughter, Mark continually sought growth through his professional achievements, mentorships, yoga practice and teachings, language studies, and world travel. Stevie Nicks, Star Trek, Godzilla, Lego, and journaling were his favorite hobbies. Two celebrations of Mark’s life will be held: February 25, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., at Fish Moon Brewing Company in Rushville, Indiana, and March 25, 2025, at his final resting place in Hollywood Hills, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CanSat Competition (https://astronautical.org/events/cansat/), an annual student design-build-launch competition for space-related topics and an organization close to Mark’s heart. They will be honoring him with a yearly award given in Mark’s name. May Mark’s memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

Tributes

Mark Gregory Walker

February 25, 1968 - January 3, 2025