Obituary of CPO Walter Ray Maple, U.S. Navy,

Walter Ray Maple, 76, died June 13, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was a resident of Peyton, Colorado.He was born October 9, 1942 in Riverside, California to Cecil Hayes and Lillian Jeanette (Senger) Maple.Walt graduated in 1961 from Calipatria High School, in Calipatria, California.He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 28, 1961 in San Diego, California. His enlistment was extended on April 28, 1969 to remain on active duty. The extension was at the request and for the convenience of the Government. He was placed on the temporary disability retired list effective September 25, 1970. Walt permanently retired in 1973 as a Chief Petty Officer Electronics Tech with an Honorable Discharge due to medical conditions due to active duty gunshot wounds which required a two-year hospital stay.Walt served on the USS Mauna Kea (Pacific Fleet), Attended Electronics Technician "A" School, Special Technology School, Loran "C" School Special Ships System Orientation Course and ET "B" School Nuclear. He served on the USNS Michelson, USS Holland, and was on a Special Projects team that served in Vietnam. His team known as the Whiz Kids developed what is now GPS.He was presented with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam, First Good conduct award for period ending August 27, 1965, Second Good Conduct Award for period ending August 27, 1969, two purple hearts, two bronze stars and numerous other medals.After his retirement, Walt owned his own auto mechanic shop. He attended Imperial Valley Community College receiving an AS degree; San Diego State University receiving a BA degree; Colorado Technical University receiving a Masters with a double degree in Business Administration and ITT. He began his PHD but was not able to complete it due to health issues. He was employed by Imperial Irrigation and worked as an electrical journeyman electrician; Quigley Communications in Escondido as an Electronics Engineer; San Diego City as a Project Manager; and The City of Colorado Springs in the Radio Shop; he retired in 2005. In 2010, he became a part of Primerica where he studied and received all his life and investment licenses. His passion for helping families prepare for their financial future brought him great joy and reward. Walt was a life long learner in many subjects from law and medicine, which he studied in the hospital library during his two year stay after a massive active duty gunshot wound which should have killed him. He loved studying the Bible, financial investments and hunting, fishing and other subjects. Walt enjoyed the great outdoors which included hunting, fishing or just the enjoyment of exploring the beauty of the Southern California desert from the seat of his old 1942 Willys jeep. Camping with family and friends in the desert and sitting beside an open fire eating carne asada cooked on the grill under a starry sky brought him great joy.He is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Maple for almost 50 years; son, Matthew Robert Maple; daughter, Elizabeth Sue (Andrew) Huwe; ; two grandsons and a granddaughter; brothers, Kenneth Lee (Reime) Maple and Gary Dean (Robin) Maple; adopted sister, Wanda Horst, and Anna Yokum; and half-brother, Keith Hayes (Linda) Maple.Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Wednesday, July 10, 2019, New Life Church-World Prayer Center, 11025 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921. Reception immediately following.Graveside Service, 3:00PM, Thursday, July 11, 2019, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925.Contributions in Walt's memory may be made to the Walter Ray Maple Memorial Fund, ENT Bank, (800) 525-9623. Events Memorial Service Wednesday, July 10, 2019 11:00AM New Life Church World Prayer Center 11025 Voyager Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Graveside Thursday, July 11, 2019 3:00PM Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925 Phone: 202-632-8035 Final Resting Place Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925