Logan Clendening Walker, Sr., age 91, a master of the tenor sax, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026. He was born on August 24, 1934, to Wilma and Bruce Walker in Kansas City, Missouri. Logan spent over nine decades weaving his spirit into the fabric of the jazz world in Kansas City, Okinawa Japan, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma, where he was the post music director on Fort Sill. Prior to his 41 years in Lawton, he was the team that brought the USO shows to the soldiers on Kadena and Sukiran (Zukeran) bases on Okinawa. He made the sacrifice of possible big fame to be a constant presence in his family's life.

He didn't just play the sax; he spoke through it. To hear Logan play was to witness a conversation between a man and his horn - one filled with improvisation, raw emotion and EFFORTLESS COOL!

As a high school student, he had the privilege of playing with well known acts that came through Kansas City, such as Billy Holiday. He would convince his mother, Wilma Walker to sign a note to allow him into the clubs while she sat in the back of the club keeping watch over him. Classic Walker charm! His band teacher would let him sleep in his car on the following mornings. During this time, it was his mother that would not allow him to tour with anyone asking him to hit the road.

Beyond the stage, Logan carried the discipline of a seasoned musician into his role as a father, teaching those he loved that life is like jazz. It requires both discipline and improvisation. To find harmony in the unexpected and rhythm in the everyday.

Logan is survived by his wife, Yukiko Walker and children, Prentice Walker (Lisa), Maya Walker (Terry Smith), Kenneth Walker, seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.

He is now part of a celestial jazz trio with his son Michael on drums and Logan, Jr.

(June) on piano.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Phillips Music Education

Center Scholarship Program. Call 580-357-1118

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday, January 12, 2026 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Entombment with military honors will follow in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Rosary will be at 6:00 pm Sunday, January 11, 2025 in the funeral home chapel.

A reception will be held in the Parish Hall across from the church at 12:30 pm following the entombment. A light lunch of fried chicken and barbecue will be provided. Oh yes, a salad or two, also. We look forward to the shared stories.