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

Maddie & Mavrick Secord’s Future Funds, organized by Chris Randall

gofundme.com

22 Comments

  • Donna Poteet Posted January 28, 2023 4:21 pm

    May my nephew rest in peace! His life was cut too short. Prayers to his children & all his love ones left behind! We will miss you Walter!😪

  • Clinton and Linda Brown Posted January 28, 2023 8:09 pm

    Oh Mandy! Our hearts are broken for you all. We are so, so sorry for your loss. We didn’t know him well, but we’ll enough to know he was a wonderful man. Hugs and Love and prayers from us.
    C.E. And Linda

  • Billy Carper Posted January 28, 2023 8:39 pm

    Walter was an awesome person and a friend to everyone he was around and a good football 🏈 player always at my house sledding in the winter you will be missed my old friend.

  • Patty Loyd Posted January 28, 2023 9:48 pm

    I’m just numb yet to think Walt is gone . It’s so sad prayers for the whole family! We lost a great guy ❤️ Mandy and family need anything please let me know !

  • Nuru Allen Posted January 29, 2023 1:32 am

    I am heart-broken to hear about the passing of Walt. When I was growing up, he was larger than life. From when we went against each other during BJSA or seeing him being a mentor for Calvin during track, he was a great dude. He will be missed and prayers go out to his entire family. Walt seemed invincible to me!

  • Doug Seaman Posted January 29, 2023 1:23 pm

    Rest in peace Walt. Thank you for being a lifelong friend to my brother Don. Few people in this world can be as lucky as you two were to have a such a friendship. Praying for Walt’s family and we will keep him in our memory forever.

  • Ryan Cronk Posted January 29, 2023 5:46 pm

    That was so beautifully written, nailed it on every level. He truly was a giant walking amongst men.

  • Daisy Huerta Posted January 29, 2023 7:53 pm

    Uncle Walter, you were one of the best people to walk this earth. You lit up every room you walked into and had such a phenomenal personality, so heroic.. I am so heartbroken to receive the news we all did the other day, but I know you will be watching over all of your loved ones down here. I wish I could go back to the last day I saw you before moving to Japan just so I could remind you how much you mean to me. You will be deeply missed by everyone of us. Please give Aunt Brenda one of your famous bear hugs for me. I love you forever, may you rest easy 🤍🕊️

  • Chris Abdouch Posted January 29, 2023 8:52 pm

    I’m not sure just how this happened but I’m very saddened to hear about Walter. I’ve worked with him at commonwealth in the past and he was such a great guy and a true friend. He will be missed very much

  • Joel Mosser Posted January 30, 2023 7:37 am

    Walt was a great guy! I would see him often at the Hy-Vee in town. We would always stop and catch up. He will be missed. May he rest in heaven.

  • Gary Demmel Posted January 30, 2023 9:17 am

    Walt was a wonderful person that i feel privileged to have known. Walt was a hard worker and a great leader for his fellow electricians. I will always remember his hearty laugh. Most of all, Walt was just a good guy who everyone got along with. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with Walt’s family.

  • Ronald Castro Posted January 30, 2023 2:06 pm

    Walt always lit up the room with his smile and his laugh. I’ve had the privilege of working with him for 20 years. I shot bow a couple of times and did some hand fishing with him throughout the years. He was always the best at whatever he did. His positive attitude will live on. May we all have a little Waltdog in us to make this a better place. Thoughts and Prayers for the Family. Rest in Peace Brother! I will see you later. Don’t catch all of the fish.

  • Susan Sherman Posted January 30, 2023 2:51 pm

    Mandy my heart goes out to you and the rest of Walt’s family. I am so glad I got to meet Walt and know him some. He was a great guy. I am sorry that you won’t have a long future together but you had 4 great years with wonderful memories. Know that you are in my prayers and I am sending love to you.
    Susan Sherman

  • Chad Schneider Posted January 30, 2023 7:31 pm

    Walt is one special dude. We weren’t great friends, but somehow every time our paths crossed he seemed genuinely excited to see me. I recognized that was one of his many gifts, and always admired him for it. I’ll use his positive life energy to be a better version of myself, as I can see many others will also do. Because of this, Waltdog lives on.

  • Mandy Benson Posted January 30, 2023 8:03 pm

    Shocked and saddened by this news. My heart goes out to Walt’s fiancé, kids, parents and family. He truly was one of a kind and I will never forget him. Rest easy buddy.

  • Ruben Bera Posted January 30, 2023 8:16 pm

    I had the good fortune to know and work with Walt. His laughter and smile were just some of his good qualities. I always knew where he stood. And tall he did. Rest in peace Walt.

  • Lindsay Harvey Posted January 30, 2023 8:44 pm

    I wish I had the right words. Prayers for his kids and all his family. Thank you for the memories Walt…aka Moose.

  • steve J carberry Posted January 31, 2023 8:45 am

    Mandy I’m so sorry to hear this news, I know how much your face lit up every time you talked about them. and it pains me to hear this heartbreaking news, you’ll be in my prayers.

  • Tawayne McNeil Posted January 31, 2023 3:09 pm

    Hey Hulk. I missed the chance to try your deer stew. We talked about how I tried it in the past and didn’t like, however you were going to make me some next time I came. I trusted you because, you’re always hunting or fishing, or telling your ducklings to quack like a duck. I wanted to say, you’re missed out here in North Carolina. Take it easy and keep hunting them Bucks. YOU WILL BE MISSED..

  • Don Gerjevic Posted February 1, 2023 6:02 pm

    Walt was a grand soul and a Joy to be around! His positive attitude was so contagious and his laugh was unmistakable! We will miss you so much, Walt! God speed and God bless you Walt Secord…

  • Lou Wiggins & Dave Smith Posted February 3, 2023 9:16 am

    We were saddened to hear the shocking news of Walt’s passing. We did not know Walt very well, but he always had a smile on his face & friendly hello to all who passed by., when fishing off the dock or on his boat. RIP Walt .Our prayers & sincere sympathies to Mandy & the family.

  • Mike sullivan Posted February 4, 2023 11:35 am

    Walt was always a positive and happy person, never a dull moment.. my heart goes out to his family he will be missed.
    💔

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