Jeffery James Walker, 51, former systems manager, house manager and accounting associate at the Lied Center, died Jan. 19. Walker became a part of the UNL community in 1988, originally working in the ticket office at Kimball Hall. He joined the Lied Center during its original opening in 1990; while at the Lied he worked in a wide variety of positions including administrative assistant, facility/house manager, concessions, accounting associate, and information systems manager. The Lied Center is hosting a memorial service 11 a.m., Jan. 22.

Walker was born to Donald W. and Vera Grace (Short) Walker in Kimball on Sept. 27, 1959. He grew up and attended school in Kimball, graduating from Kimball County High School in 1977. He attended Chadron State College, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He majored in music, with minors in business and computers. He taught vocal and band, K-12, in Mankato, Kan., for two years before moving to Lincoln. In 2000, Jeff was diagnosed with throat cancer. On Jan. 10, 2011 he was told that the cancer had returned and was at stage four.

Jeff is survived by his mother, Grace Walker of Kimball; brothers, Donald “Mike” and wife Linda of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Keven and wife Kathy of Dix; Dwight and wife Susan of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Sister Deb Walker of Ainsworth; nephews and nieces.