OrlandoMike
<font color=red>all I can say is beer hurts when i
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Messages
- 8,721
E. Cardon "Card" Walker, who led The Walt Disney Company for nearly a
decade and a-half following the death of co-founder Roy O. Disney,
passed away at his La Canada home on Monday, November 29, at the age of
89.
Walker rose through the ranks at Disney, starting in the mailroom in
1938 and eventually becoming executive vice president and chief
operating officer following the death of Walt Disney. Walker worked
closely with Walt and Roy Disney on memorable projects, such as It's a
Small World, Meet Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted
Mansion, "101 Dalmatians," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins" and the
purchase and development of the 28,000 acres in Central Florida that
became Walt Disney World.
In 1971, he was named president of the company, in 1976, he added the
duties of chief executive officer and, in 1980, he was elected chairman
of the board. Under his leadership, the company expanded with such
major projects as the development of EPCOT at Walt Disney World, Tokyo
Disneyland and the creation of the Disney Channel in the then-nascent
cable industry.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Card Walker," said
Robert Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Card was
instrumental in keeping Disney strong and growing in the critical years
that followed the passing of founders Walt and Roy Disney. There is
little question that, were it not for Card Walker's vision and
leadership, Disney would not be what it is today."
"Card was a predecessor of mine as CEO and I was privileged to consult
with him throughout much of my tenure at the company," said Michael D.
Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Thanks to his deep
understanding of the company and its founders, talking to Card was the
next best thing to talking to Walt himself. Card successfully steered
this company through a challenging time of transition, establishing an
incredibly strong base for success on which Disney continues to build."
Earlier in his career, Walker's duties included work in the camera and
story departments as unit manager on short subjects, after which he
moved into advertising and sales, rising to become the company's vice
president of marketing. In 1960, he was elected to Disney's board of
directors and served on its three-man executive committee. He retired
as CEO and chairman in 1983, but continued to serve as a consultant
until 1990.
Among Walker's many awards and honors were Pioneer of the Year from the
Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers, the International Showmanship
Award from the National Association of Theater Owners and the Alumnus
of the Year Award from UCLA.
Walker was born January 9, 1916 in Rexburg, Idaho and moved to Southern
California in 1924. He died of congestive heart failure and is survived
by Winnie, his wife of 59 years, as well as three children, Mignonne
Walker Decker, Marnie Gaede and Cardon Walker, and five grandchildren,
Katie, Matt, Dillon, Marcus and Miles.
Funeral services will be private. Donations can be made in lieu of
flowers to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, (800) 322-9474, www.wishla.org.
decade and a-half following the death of co-founder Roy O. Disney,
passed away at his La Canada home on Monday, November 29, at the age of
89.
Walker rose through the ranks at Disney, starting in the mailroom in
1938 and eventually becoming executive vice president and chief
operating officer following the death of Walt Disney. Walker worked
closely with Walt and Roy Disney on memorable projects, such as It's a
Small World, Meet Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted
Mansion, "101 Dalmatians," "The Jungle Book," "Mary Poppins" and the
purchase and development of the 28,000 acres in Central Florida that
became Walt Disney World.
In 1971, he was named president of the company, in 1976, he added the
duties of chief executive officer and, in 1980, he was elected chairman
of the board. Under his leadership, the company expanded with such
major projects as the development of EPCOT at Walt Disney World, Tokyo
Disneyland and the creation of the Disney Channel in the then-nascent
cable industry.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Card Walker," said
Robert Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Card was
instrumental in keeping Disney strong and growing in the critical years
that followed the passing of founders Walt and Roy Disney. There is
little question that, were it not for Card Walker's vision and
leadership, Disney would not be what it is today."
"Card was a predecessor of mine as CEO and I was privileged to consult
with him throughout much of my tenure at the company," said Michael D.
Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Thanks to his deep
understanding of the company and its founders, talking to Card was the
next best thing to talking to Walt himself. Card successfully steered
this company through a challenging time of transition, establishing an
incredibly strong base for success on which Disney continues to build."
Earlier in his career, Walker's duties included work in the camera and
story departments as unit manager on short subjects, after which he
moved into advertising and sales, rising to become the company's vice
president of marketing. In 1960, he was elected to Disney's board of
directors and served on its three-man executive committee. He retired
as CEO and chairman in 1983, but continued to serve as a consultant
until 1990.
Among Walker's many awards and honors were Pioneer of the Year from the
Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers, the International Showmanship
Award from the National Association of Theater Owners and the Alumnus
of the Year Award from UCLA.
Walker was born January 9, 1916 in Rexburg, Idaho and moved to Southern
California in 1924. He died of congestive heart failure and is survived
by Winnie, his wife of 59 years, as well as three children, Mignonne
Walker Decker, Marnie Gaede and Cardon Walker, and five grandchildren,
Katie, Matt, Dillon, Marcus and Miles.
Funeral services will be private. Donations can be made in lieu of
flowers to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, (800) 322-9474, www.wishla.org.
