Born in St. Louis, Missouri, February 12, 1920, Earl was a lifelong resident of the St. Louis area. He attended Kirkwood public schools, participating in the Hi-Y and football. Upon graduation from Kirkwood High School in 1939, Earl attended Ranken Technical School in St. Louis, where he learned welding.

During Earl's early years he always worked part time, earning additional income to help his parents by delivering groceries, managing the Kirkwood Roller Rink, driving a delivery truck and other odd jobs. Then, as later in life, Earl had to work hard for everything he received—nothing was ever handed to him.

After trade school Earl joined Curtis-Wright Aircraft Company as a welder, and was with Curtis-Wright and its successor, McDonnell Aircraft Company, until 1953, except for one year (1943) when he was with the Navy Seabees. Earl was honorably discharged from the Navy after having sustained serious injuries to his hand.

In 1952 Earl formed his own company, known today as Carr Lane Manufacturing Company, located at 4200 Carr Lane Court, Shrewsbury, Missouri. Carr Lane and its subsidiaries provide clamps, pins, hoist rings, knobs, fixturing devices and component parts for the metalworking field. In late 1979 Carr Lane bought Texas Tool Manufacturing Company, forming Carr Lane Drill Bushing Company. In 1983 a joint venture between Carr Lane and the Roemheld Company of West Germany began, forming Carr Lane Roemheld Manufacturing Company. Today Carr Lane Roemheld manufactures hydraulic clamps for the metalworking and related fields.

Carr Lane has grown from five employees to over 250, and is now international in scope. It has provided parts globally for such varied industries as automotive, aerospace, appliance and woodworking, as well as produced six vital parts for the Apollo II. Over the years, Carr Lane has had manufacturing branches in Los Angeles, Boston, Austin and Brazil.

Through long hours, tireless work, successful management and excellent employee relations (Carr Lane has never had a strike), Earl built from scratch a large, successful multi-million-dollar operation.

Earl and his wife, Myrtle Agnew Walker, have four children; three daughters and a son. Myrtle, who also graduated from Kirkwood High School, was instrumental in Carr Lane's beginnings. In the early years Myrtle worked with Earl in all facets of the business, being his cohort, advisor, employee and confidante. When the children were young, it was typical to find Myrtle working late into the night so she could be with the children during the daylight hours. Myrtle, with Earl, was the driving force behind the success Carr Lane enjoys today.

The Walkers' four children are all successful in their own rights.

Mary, the eldest child, lives in Austin, Texas. She has a Ph.D. in nursing and is conducting research and teaching in Texas and other states.

Tom has undergraduate degrees in engineering and business, and a master's degree in business from Stanford University. Tom is now president of the Audio Control Company, Seattle, Washington. Tom is married and has two children: a boy and a girl.

Nance has an undergraduate degree in business. She is married and resides in Kirkwood, Missouri, where much of her time is spent in volunteer work. Nance and her husband have three children and one grandchild.

Peggy, the youngest, is also married and lives in Villa Ridge, Missouri. She and her husband have a small farm in Villa Ridge, where they raise several breeds of dogs and other various animals. Peggy and her husband have two children and two grandchildren.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

Carr Lane is part of a network of businesses Earl and Myrtle Walker have had ownership in, which complement each other in the manufacturing industry.

THE CARR LANE FAMILY OF BUSINESSES:

• Carr Lane Manufacturing Co.
• Carr Lane Castings Co. (formerly Brentwood Castings Co.)
• Quality Screw Machine Co.
• Carr Lane Drill Bushing Company
• Davlan Engineering, Inc.
• Carr Lane Roemheld Manufacturing Co.
• American Drill Bushing Co.

Earl did not limit his business sense strictly to Carr Lane and associated manufacturing companies. He remained very active in other businesses.

HAS SERVED ON THESE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS:

• Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
• Mrazek Moving and Storage Company
• All American Products Co., Los Angeles, California
• YMCA of the Ozarks
• Ranken Technical College
• St. Joseph's Hospital
• Stages St. Louis Theatrical Company
• Bissinger's French Confections
• Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers International Board
• Accredited Life Insurance Company
• Westborough Country Club
• American Association of Industrial Management of Missouri, Inc.

IN ADDITION TO THOSE LISTED PREVIOUSLY, EARL WALKER SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THESE COMPANIES:

• National Jig and Fixture Company
• Capital Leasing Corporation
• Earl of Lamont Furniture.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT

Local involvement with his church, community, youth and charities is especially important to Earl. Following, categorically, is a listing of his achievements and involvement in those areas.

CHURCH

Earl and his family were active in the Trinity Lutheran Church (LCA). Not surprisingly, Earl was on the original Site and Building Committee of the church. He served on the Church Council, was chairman of the Parish Activities Committee, as well as chairman of the Easter Breakfast. Broadening his church involvement, Earl served on the St. Louis Board of Lutheran Churches and the President's Council of the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago.

As a one-man committee, Earl helped the Triumph Church, a non-denominational church whose membership is primarily underprivileged, both financially and as a volunteer. Gifts of money, a home that the church may resell or use as it sees fit, as well as food have all been a part of Earl's generosity. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, Earl was often found delivering food packages and gifts to needy families of the church. The minister at Triumph Church showed his gratitude, commenting that had Earl Walker not helped his people, many would have gone hungry. But more than gifts of monetary value or food, Earl gave many members of this church something more important — a renewed interest in themselves.

COMMUNITY

Local involvement with his church, community, youths and charities were especially important to Earl. Following, categorically, is a listing of Earl's achievements and involvement in these areas.

• Kirkwood Centennial, Chairman of the Anti-Litter Committee, 1964-1965
• Member and Chairman, Board of Adjustments, Kirkwood, Missouri, 21 years
• Foreman, St. Louis County Grand Jury
• Active member of Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce for many years
• PTA Organization (when his children were young)
• Fifty-year Life Member, Kirkwood Masonic Lodge, No. 884, and past president of the Templetrians.
• Earl entered the Scottish Rite May 1946.
• In late 1969 he received the 32nd Degree Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, an honorary degree through the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite Masons, for his outstanding charitable and civic work.
• Kirkwood, Missouri Citizen of the Year award in 1971 for outstanding service
• Club 44 Humanitarian Award, Kirkwood, Missouri
• Kirkwood Community Certificate for outstanding community service
• YMCA: Earl, over the years, was intensely involved in the YMCA and believed in its purpose of developing Christian character in youth. Earl personally felt that with a strong YMCA facility the youth of the community will have a place to receive good, wholesome physical exercise and social interaction.
• Kirkwood, Missouri YMCA...Earl served as chairman of the Kirkwood YMCA Swimming Pool Building Committee, and was a major fund raiser for the pool. He was vice chairman of the Future Plans Committee, 1968-1971, which determines future building needs. He was named an Honorary Lifetime Board Member of Kirkwood YMCA.
• In 1971, Earl was co-founder of the YMCA Diamond Burlap Auction, and a major fund raiser. At the First Annual Banquet, Earl received an award for outstanding services. He also was given the YMCA of Greater St. Louis Club Award for service and support in 1978.
• Earl served on Grand Jury as Foreman, 1979
• Earl served on the YMCA of the Ozarks Board of Managers from 1990 until 2011, and served on several committees.
• The Scottish Rite Masons honored Earl by making him a 33rd Degree Mason in 1990
• Donation of 2.2 acre Walker Lake to Kirkwood, Missouri, 1991
• Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, appointed by Governor John Ashcroft to serve 1991 to 1994
• Board of Adjustments, Town and Country, Missouri, 1993-1995
• Corporate Member of Missouri Historical Society, beginning 1994
• Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year, 1999-2000.
• Kirkwood, Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award, 2004
• Won the J. Clinton Hawkins Award in 2005 for outstanding volunteer leadership with the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

As shown by his involvement in civic organizations and educational facilities, Earl Walker is dedicated to helping the youths of our community, to improve access to education and services to better themselves.

• Earl was Chairman of the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders until he died in 2011. In 1989 Earl, along with Les Denny, founded the clinic when they decided that something needed to be done about children with speech disorders, especially underprivileged children. The clinic has helped 15,000 children.
• Earl played a key role in his community, sponsoring the memberships of many children to allow them use of the local YMCA facilities, and supporting summer youth programs for Club 44, an integrated youth organization formed to help youths work for God and country.
• Earl was an active fund raiser for the Girl Scouts for numerous years, working with his wife, Myrtle, who served on the area Girl Scouts Board of Directors.
• Earl was a participating employer in the COE Program (Cooperative Education) with the Kirkwood, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, and Webster Groves school districts. The COE Program allows high school students to go to school part time, and spend the remainder of their day learning a trade in a local business. Not all high school graduates are able, capable, or have a desire to attend college. The COE program allows such students to enter a trade upon graduation.
• Earl was a sponsor of the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District Scholarship, which allows graduating seniors to attend the college of their choice.
• Earl and his wife established the Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship Endowment through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1986.
• Education was also supported by the Myrtle and Earl Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund, set up at the University of Texas in Austin, first established in 1988.
• Earl created the Earl E. Walker Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in the early 1990s.
• Earl and his wife Myrtle donated to Kirkwood High School in 1994, building a tunnel in the Performing Arts Center for the entertainers.
• Earl served in key positions, including president and director, of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation, beginning in 1994.
• Earl became a member of the President's Club of the U.S. Marine Military Academy in Harlington, Texas in 1995.
• In 1995, Earl and Myrtle Walker donated to Kirkwood High School to create Walkers Common, an enclosed area near the theatre. In 1996, the pair donated sculptures, "Myrtle's Turtles," to KHS in honor of their grandson Colin's Senior Class.
• Earl joined the Board of Trustees of Ranken Technical College, St. Louis, in 1997.
• Earl donated to establish an endowed professorship in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis, 1998.
• In 2001, the Myrtle E. Walker Scholarship Fund was established at the School of Art at Washington University, in honor of Earl's wife, Myrtle, who had wanted to attend art school as a youngster, but had not been able to for financial reasons.
• Earl Walker received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Washington University, 2002.
• Earl received an Honorary Degree from St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 2002.
• Earl and his wife provided the Myrtle and Earl Walker Directors' Scholarship through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 2002-2003.
• A new School of Art studio building was dedicated in 2004 at Washington University as Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Hall.
• A lobby in St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley's Advanced Manufacturing Center was named Myrtle and Earl Walker Lobby in 2005 through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
• Funds for a new Science Center for Kirkwood High School were donated by Earl and Myrtle Walker in 2007.
• Funds were donated in 2008 to build the Myrtle and Earl Walker Residence Hall at Ranken Technical College.
• Earl received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2009 from Maryville University.
• Earl donated funds to build a playground in 2009 for Summit Christian Academy.
• A new School of Health Professions building was dedicated in 2010 at Maryville University as Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Hall, after the university received a major gift from the pair.

CHARITIES

• Earl contributed to St. Joseph Hospital, Kirkwood, Missouri. He and Myrtle provided funds enabling the hospital to completely renovate such facilities as the Doctor's Dining Room, several patient rooms, and the renovation, furnishing and equipment for the Chemotheraphy Unit.
• The Walkers support Kirkwood schools as well. Earl and Myrtle donated a commons area to Kirkwood High School, and a tunnel for access to the school's orchestra pit in 1994.
• Earl's charities were usually supported on a "one-to-one" basis, where he personally helped an individual or small group of individuals. His charitable contributions included help to the underprivileged, including a number of men from the local community, providing them with employment and thus a sense of self-worth. Receivers ranged from youths with social or other disabilities to former inmates.
• Earl's help with the Triumph Church, as mentioned previously, shows his true dedication to those less fortunate than himself. It was Earl's sincere belief in mankind and his abilities that make it all worthwhile.
• Earl served on the Board of Directors of the Magdala Houses and Magdala Foundation. These residences are for male and female former inmates; they provide a "half-way house" facility to aid them in their return to civil life. Earl felt that these men and women, given ample opportunity, can lead normal, happy and constructive lives. He continually worked to provide that opportunity.
• Earl served as a member of the Steering Committee of Bethphage Mission, Axtell, Nebraska, a home for developmentally retarded residents. He stressed that these people have the same needs all of us have — food, clothing, shelter, and a feeling of being secure and loved — and wished to see that these people were never deprived of these basic needs.
• In 1990 Earl and Myrtle Walker were named "Outstanding Philanthropists" by the St. Louis Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives for their widespread charitable donations to assist with educational and community needs.
• Earl and Myrtle Walker cosponsored the Wiegand Foundation's U.S. Navy Medallion "Spirit of Hope" Awards, 2005.
• In honor of his great works of charity, Earl's portrait was placed in the Scottish Rite's Pillars of Charity Portrait Hall in 2007.
• Due to his tremendous support, the Olive Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church awarded Earl the Olive Branch Award in 2007.
• Earl was part of the Disabled American Veterans 2010 Commanders Club of Donors.
• Earl and Myrtle's company, Carr Lane, sponsored a hole in the Habitat for Humanity's Golf Tournament in St. Louis, MO in 2010.
• Funds were donated in 2010 to build the Walker Legislative Chamber at St. Louis' Magic House.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Earl has been a member of many professional and service groups, including:

• Member, Scottish Rite, 1946-2011
• Member, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1960-2011
• International Board of Directors, Society of Manufacturing Engineers
• Jefferson-National Memorial Commission, appointed Secretary of the Interior.
• Chairman, Exposition Committee, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1987
• Finance Committee, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1987
• Chairman, Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders of St. Louis, 1988-2011
• Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, appointed by Governor John Ashcroft to serve 1991 to 1994
• Board of Managers, YMCA of the Ozarks, 1993 to 2011
• College of Fellows Inductee, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1993
• Board of Adjustments, Town & Country, Missouri, 1993-1995
• Corporate Member of Missouri Historical Society, beginning 1994
• President, Education Foundation, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1994-1997
• Member, President's Club of U.S. Marine Military Academy, beginning 1995
• Member, Board of Trustees, Ranken Technical College, St. Louis, Missouri, 1997 to 2011
• Director, Education Foundation, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, beginning 1998.
• Inducted into the Scottish Rite Hall of Honor in 2005, beside noted Freemasons Gene Autry, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Will Rogers and Senator Sam J. Ervin.
• Served as chair for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation's 30th Anniversary celebration in 2010, and was recognized for his 50-year membership in the SME.

AWARDS

Earl was recognized for many achievements in business and community circles, including:

• Businessman of the Year, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1975
• Kirkwood YMCA Golden Triangle Club Award, 1979
• VIP Membership presented by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, St. Louis Chapter #17, for his active support during 1981-82 to further the aims and objectives of the society in the furtherance of the arts and technology.
• Management Achievement Award — the highest award given by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
• Lafayette High School Award for his cooperation in its COE Program
• Salvation Army Tree of Lights
• Old Newsboy Day Award (for several years)
• Martin Marietta Company Sport Award for special project fulfillment
• Small Business Association Subcontractor of the Year, Region VII, 1987
• Silver Platter Award for Humanitarianism, Scottish Rite, 1988
• St. Louis Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives named Earl and Myrtle Walker "Outstanding Philanthropists," 1990
• St. Louis Small Business Council (RCGA) "Top 25" Companies Award, 1990
• Eli Whitney Productivity Award, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1991
• YMCA Volunteer of the Year, 1993
• Washington University's Robert S. Brookings Award, 1999, for exemplifying the alliance between the University and the Community
• Sold on St. Louis Award for Business Achievement, 1999
• Kirkwood, Missouri Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year 1999-2000.
• Benefactor of the Year Award, Society of Manufacturing Engineers Chapter 17, 2003.
• Kirkwood, Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award, 2004.
• Grand Cross Award, 2005, which is the Scottish Rite's highest honor.
• Won the J. Clinton Hawkins Award in 2005 for outstanding volunteer leadership with the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.
• Inducted into the Scottish Rite Hall of Honor in 2005, beside noted Freemasons Gene Autry, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Will Rogers and Senator Sam J. Ervin.
• The Olive Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church awarded Earl the Olive Branch Award in 2007.
• The Missouri DeMolay, part of the Freemasons, hosted a state-wide initiation in 2007, in Earl's honor.
• Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award in 2008 by the Engineers' Council.
• Award of Appreciation, 2008, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
• Named 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year for Missouri by Newt Gingrich's Business Defense and Advisory Council.
• Ageless Remarkable St. Louisans Award in 2009 from St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors Center.
• Named to the Golden Eagle Honor Roll in 2010 by the Industrial Supply Association for more than 35 years of service in the industrial supply channel.
• Recognized for his 50-year membership in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 2010.
• Distinguished Alumni Award, 2010, Ranken Technical School.
• Carr Lane won Boeing's 2010 Silver Performance Excellence Award in 2011.