Former Gaithersburg Mayor Dies at 95

UPDATED/ 12:30 p.m./The City of Gaithersburg’s flag will fly at half-staff on July 8 in honor of Milton Miles Walker, a former Mayor of Gaithersburg who passed away on June 27 at the age of 95.

Mr. Walker served on the Gaithersburg City Council from 1956 to 1974 and as mayor from 1974 to 1976.  In the late 1950’s, Gaithersburg’s population was 3,500.  The late 1950’s, early 1960’s brought the Department of Energy to Germantown, and the National Bureau of Standards, National Geographic, and IBM to the Gaithersburg area, feeding the need for housing, retail and municipal services.  During Walker’s tenure, the city’s first two shopping centers were built, Gaithersburg Square and Duvall, followed soon after by Lakeforest Mall.

During this time period, the city transitioned to a Council/Manager form of government to allow for full-time administration.  Casey Community Center and the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center opened their doors.  By the end of the 1970’s, the City’s population had grown to more than 26,500.

A portrait of former Mayor Milton Miles Walker hangs at Gaithersburg City Hall.
PHOTO | City of Gaithersburg

“Thoughtful planning and management were needed to handle this growth spurt, and Mr. Walker was at the forefront.  We would not be the dynamic, accessible, welcoming community that we are today without a man like Mr. Walker, who saw what was coming and laid a solid foundation that serves Gaithersburg to this day,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz.

According to the Molesworth Williams funeral home, Walker of Gaithersburg was born in Washington Grove May 23, 1919.  He was the son of Marshall and Minnie Briggs Walker and the husband of Julia Ward Walker for 74 years. He graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 1937 and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg. He was the owner of Walker’s Market and Walker’s Coin Laundry and Drycleaning in Olde Town, Gaithersburg for more than 50 years. He was a member of Gaithersburg Chamber of Commerce and a lifelong member of Gaithersburg Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife; daughter Katherine Hand and husband Gregory Hand; daughter Barbara Kachinski and husband George Kachinski; several grandchildren and nephews and a niece.

Visitation is scheduled to be held at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home in Damascus on July 7 from 7 to 9 p.m.. Service will be held at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home and on July 8 at 11 a.m. followed by a private burial.

Contributions should be made to the Maryland Sheriff Youth’s Ranch, 7902 Fingerboard Road, Frederick, Md. 21704.

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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