Walter “Walt” Raymond Secord

Walter “Walt” Raymond Secord

August 4, 1978 – January 27, 2023

Age 44

Always sunny and 75° — When you live a life as big as Walter Secord’s (aka “Walt” or “Waltdog”), it is hard to put it all into words.  Walt was larger than life, from his huge personality to his huge hunting and fishing skills to his huge arms.  Walt was a force to be reckoned with.  He lived life on his terms, loved his family and friends deeply, and knew exactly who he was.  His love of nature, archery, hunting, and fishing took him to places that he felt connected to.  If you knew Walt, you knew he viewed life like it was “always sunny and 75°.”

Walt was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, on August 4, 1978, to his parents, Mary and Walter.  The family returned to Bellevue, Nebraska, in 1979, and Walt would forever consider himself a Bellevue-boy.  Walt made many close friends during his childhood with whom he remains close to today.  Walt graduated from Bellevue East High School and was a State Champion discus thrower.  Upon graduation, Walt joined the IBEW and completed the 5-year electrical program.  Walt worked for Commonwealth Electrical of the Midwest and recently earned his 25 year award with the company.  Walt was a skilled electrician and rose to the rank of Superintendent at the Facebook/Meta site.  Walt loved his job, his coworkers, and Commonwealth.  He was constantly saying how lucky he was to get paid to do what he loved while being surrounded by friends every day.

Walt had many joys in his life, but none so deep as that for his three children, Morgahn, Madelyn, and Mavrick.  Walt’s face lit up when he talked about each of them.  He is proud of the woman Morgahn has become and knew that she would be a wonderful mother to his future grandson.  Walt and Maddie are two peas in a pod, and he wanted nothing more than to make her happy by supporting her every way he could.  Walt highly valued spending time with Maddie.  They shared a competitive and athletic spirit that challenged each other to be their very best.  Mav is a mini-me of Walt, and Walt was delighted that Mav took an interest in archery and fishing.  The two would spend time together in the tree stand, at the lake, and on the ice, always trying to get the next world class buck or master angler walleye.

Walt and Mandy had their first date on Christmas 2018, and the two were inseparable since.  They share a bond so close that death cannot break it.  In the four years they have been together, they had many adventures and created many beautiful memories.  They both love nature and would be in it together as often as they could.  The two were huge foodies and had date-night every Wednesday – a night that was sacred to Walt because he had time with his Mandy and food, two of his great loves.  Mandy unconditionally supported Walt through many ups and downs, which only made their bond stronger.  They truly had a love of a lifetime, one that will last beyond this life.

Walt’s parents, Walter and Mary, adore their son – he is their pride and joy.  Walt felt constant support from his parents and loved laughing with them.  Walt had two sisters, Sonja and Brenda.   Brenda passed away in 2017.  The two had much in common, both happy-go-lucky, and there is no doubt they are together again.  Walt adored his big sister Sonja.  He loved spending time with her and all his nieces and nephews.

Walt was an avid outdoor sportsman.  His love of archery began when he was young, running the streets and woods around Bellevue with a bow and arrow.  He would spend every winter sitting in a tree, patiently waiting for the next trophy to walk by.  Walt was adamant that he would never shoot a deer with a rifle, and only used a compound bow and his natural skill on his hunts.  Walt was also a skilled fisherman, first learning to fish on the Missouri River with his Dad and his buddies.  Walt loved most to fish at Merritt Reservoir, by Valentine, Nebraska, where he would fish all night and hook some of the largest walleyes imaginable.  Walt also loved ice fishing and would sit on the ice for hours, reeling in fish and having the time of his life.

There are so many friends of Walt’s that he has made throughout his journey in this lifetime.  His laughter and personality were hypnotic, and he made people feel like they matter.  He will be missed by so many, but his memory will live on.  When a personality as big as Walt’s touches someone, it cannot be forgotten.

Preceded in death by his sister Brenda M Secord.

Survived by his fiancé Mandy Gruhlkey; daughters Morgahn Randall (Chris), Madelyn “Maddie” Secord, Mavrick “Mav” Secord; parents Walter and Mary Secord; sister Sonja Sullivan (Duell); grandson Baby Randall on the way; many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation:  Friday, February 3, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.

Memorial Service:  Saturday, February 4, 2:00 p.m., I.B.E.W. Local #22 Union Hall, 8946 L Street, Omaha, NE 68127.

To view video of the service, click the link below.

https://boxcast.tv/view/walter-walt-secord-eosjscvhqiojz9fbtic1

To donate funds for Maddie and Mavrick’s future needs, please go to