In Memory Of
Andrew Walker
1960
2020
Andrew Walker
July 15, 1960 — June 23, 2020
Andrew Christopher "Drew" Walker, 59, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
He was born July 15, 1960, in Junction City, Kansas, the son of Ray and Nadine (Jaecke) Walker. He was a 1978 graduate of Junction City High School, where enjoyed being in the marching band and JC Chorale. He majored in music merchandising at Emporia State University, where he also participated in the band and choral groups. He is an active member of the "70's Junction City Kids" Facebook page. Drew often played music for parties with his friends during high school and college. He even spent time on the air at the ESU campus radio station.
Drew spent much of his early career in the food industry, serving most of those years as a management team member at various McDonald's in the Topeka area. He owned and operated the Solid Rock Sound Machine Mobile Entertainment Company, performing as DJ Drew with his wife, Karen. He founded this DJ service in 1990, starting part time, then in 2008 it became his full time career.
In addition to providing entertainment and planning guidance for weddings and other private celebrations, DJ Drew was very active in many community activities and charity events, including Relay for Life, Purple Stride for Pancreatic Cancer, Topeka MS Walk, the Great Plains Balloon Club's Huff-N-Puff Balloon Rally and many other groups. He earned the name the Doggie DJ as he jumped at the chance to provide music for pet related events. His favorite crowd was his friends in the Special Needs community. He and Karen spun tunes monthly at Dancehouse, sponsored by Shawnee County Parks and Rec. and looked forward to the annual Spring Dance at their "home away from home", Big Gage Shelter, at Gage Park in Topeka.
Drew has also volunteered for 30 years as promotions director at KHCA, Angel 95 FM, in Manhattan Kansas. The Solid Rock Sound Machine was founded from his desire to share contemporary Christian music with Northeast Kansas. His partnership with Angel 95 was a perfect fit for this and over the years he played key supporting roles in many Christian concert events, the March for Jesus and many other outreaches.
As the Solid Rock Sound Machine evolved, their playlist grew to include all Genres, with the guiding principle to keep the music positive and family friendly, counting themselves accountable to Angel 95 and their home church of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, in Topeka.
Drew married Karen Marie Cummings on July 20, 1985 in Waverly, Kansas. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include his sister, Theresa (Mark) Elzinga of Wichita, Kansas; and a niece and nephews, Amber (Robert) Sanchez, Christopher Elzinga, Patrick Elzinga and Matthew Elzinga.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Ray Walker, Mother, Nadine Claire Walker, and his Brother Richard Ray Walker.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June, 28, 2020 at Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.
A private funeral service at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in Topeka is assisting the family. A public Celebration of Drew's Life will be held at a later date, please check back for Celebration information.
To view the service, please copy and paste the below URL;
https://www.youtube.com/user/wwcnwanamakerwoods/live
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Christian Association (Angel 95), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN), or Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene.
To leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born July 15, 1960, in Junction City, Kansas, the son of Ray and Nadine (Jaecke) Walker. He was a 1978 graduate of Junction City High School, where enjoyed being in the marching band and JC Chorale. He majored in music merchandising at Emporia State University, where he also participated in the band and choral groups. He is an active member of the "70's Junction City Kids" Facebook page. Drew often played music for parties with his friends during high school and college. He even spent time on the air at the ESU campus radio station.
Drew spent much of his early career in the food industry, serving most of those years as a management team member at various McDonald's in the Topeka area. He owned and operated the Solid Rock Sound Machine Mobile Entertainment Company, performing as DJ Drew with his wife, Karen. He founded this DJ service in 1990, starting part time, then in 2008 it became his full time career.
In addition to providing entertainment and planning guidance for weddings and other private celebrations, DJ Drew was very active in many community activities and charity events, including Relay for Life, Purple Stride for Pancreatic Cancer, Topeka MS Walk, the Great Plains Balloon Club's Huff-N-Puff Balloon Rally and many other groups. He earned the name the Doggie DJ as he jumped at the chance to provide music for pet related events. His favorite crowd was his friends in the Special Needs community. He and Karen spun tunes monthly at Dancehouse, sponsored by Shawnee County Parks and Rec. and looked forward to the annual Spring Dance at their "home away from home", Big Gage Shelter, at Gage Park in Topeka.
Drew has also volunteered for 30 years as promotions director at KHCA, Angel 95 FM, in Manhattan Kansas. The Solid Rock Sound Machine was founded from his desire to share contemporary Christian music with Northeast Kansas. His partnership with Angel 95 was a perfect fit for this and over the years he played key supporting roles in many Christian concert events, the March for Jesus and many other outreaches.
As the Solid Rock Sound Machine evolved, their playlist grew to include all Genres, with the guiding principle to keep the music positive and family friendly, counting themselves accountable to Angel 95 and their home church of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, in Topeka.
Drew married Karen Marie Cummings on July 20, 1985 in Waverly, Kansas. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include his sister, Theresa (Mark) Elzinga of Wichita, Kansas; and a niece and nephews, Amber (Robert) Sanchez, Christopher Elzinga, Patrick Elzinga and Matthew Elzinga.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Ray Walker, Mother, Nadine Claire Walker, and his Brother Richard Ray Walker.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June, 28, 2020 at Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.
A private funeral service at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka. Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in Topeka is assisting the family. A public Celebration of Drew's Life will be held at a later date, please check back for Celebration information.
To view the service, please copy and paste the below URL;
https://www.youtube.com/user/wwcnwanamakerwoods/live
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Christian Association (Angel 95), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN), or Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene.
To leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Andrew Walker, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, June 28, 2020
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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