Walker Family

Friends,

My name is Destin Shimer. Ashton Walker is my little sister. She lost her husband Ruben Walker on Wednesday, April 5th to injuries he sustained during a motorcycle accident involving a semi-trailer truck on Tuesday. We ache. Our hearts are shattered and we are swimming in grief. We cannot wrap our minds around his absence. He leaves behind his young wife and two small daughters, Reyna (2.5 years) and Juno (7 months). Ashton, Ruben’s parents, Petie and Janell, and Ruben’s teenaged siblings, Calvin and Janae, as well as Ruben’s parental and sibling in-laws, were able to be with him during his last moments on earth.

Ruben’s soul was vibrant and buoyant, ready to flit towards any chance of joy at a moment’s notice. He was an organ donor, generous until the end. The fact that his death will bring life to people in dire need gives us some comfort. He was fiercely family-oriented, often found simultaneously playing video games and chatting with his Meema and parents about their weeks for hours on end. All of his friends were his best friends: if Ruben loved you, he barred no holds. He was Janae’s rock and Calvin’s hero. He is his Momma’s first baby and his Daddy’s pride. He was a ceaseless source of mischief. He loved good, plain fun, and we see his natural inclination to risk and delight manifested in his daughter Reyna every single day. He always grilled way too many burgers. He wanted to raise his daughters in nature; he wanted to give them goats and cows. His spontaneity brought so much laughter and such a rich delight to my sister’s life, and together they created a beautiful family that they dedicated themselves to preserving and protecting. The love he showed his baby daughters and wife was a privilege to witness. We are dedicated to making certain that Reyna and Juno will always know how much their Daddy loves them.

Per Ruben’s wishes, his body will be cremated and he will be memorialized by his loved ones in the place of his birth and childhood in Glendale, AZ. While Ruben was a veteran, the VA won’t immediately cover any end-of-life costs, and, if Ashton’s case is approved, will only cover a portion of the required funds for cremation. We need help in ensuring that Ashton, Reyna, and Juno can rest, grieve, and not worry about being financially stable while they settle into a new life without Ruben.

Please donate to cover the costs of cremation, flights to and from Arizona, and general life and moving expenses for the Walker family.

Remember Ruben as the devoted young father and smitten husband that he was. 22 years isn’t even close to being enough time with him. Pray for overwhelming comfort and bone-deep peace for Ashton, Janell, Petie, Janae, and Calvin. This is only the beginning of our sorrow. Pray for joy to seep through the cracks. Pray for the morning to come. Thank you for your help, monetary and spiritual. We love you.