Posted by John Murray on August 20, 2008:

The theme at Gary's Celebration of Life was how he fought the good fight. Those of who knew Gary well over the past several years know what a hard fight it was and how Coella stood by his side and pulled him through numerous crises. At the ceremony I cited an anecdote which showed how he also fought the good fight on the football field but unfortunately had his career curtailed, as his life sadly was too. Most of us were there in Yankee Stadium in September 1961 when Army and Oklahoma were tied 7-7 in the third quarter. Since neither team was generating much offense, the Sooners decided to run a no-huddle play and as the Army defense was in their huddle the ball was pitched out to the running back with a pulling guard leading him around the left end. Young back-up yearling cornerback Gary Walk happened to look up and took pursuit, all alone. He tried to fight his way through the pulling guard to make the saving tackle, but, alas, took a forearm in the chops, breaking his jaw and ending his career on the gridiron. Oklahoma scored and that was it, 14-7. Gary went on to a successful track career and served our country more than well. We were most lucky to have him as a classmate and friend and will miss him greatly.

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