Obituary: Walter John Oldendorf

Walter John Oldendorf passed away suddenly on March 8 at his home in Oak Ridge.

He was born Dec. 30, 1962, in Chicago, Ill. He was raised in Bloomington Normal, Ill., and moved to Oak Ridge in 1987 after attending Berea College in Kentucky.

He worked as an environment and safety specialist for various firms in and around Oak Ridge. He had many interests, foremost of those would be astronomy, meteorology, mathematics, and anything science-related. He was a member of the Cold War Patriots and the Anderson County Democratic Party. He also enjoyed fishing and boating, and had a great love of nature and all animals. However, he found the most enjoyment in life by watching the milestones and achievements of his two beautiful daughters.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years Debi Payton Oldendorf and two daughters, 24-year-old Courtney Payton Oldendorf and 16-year-old Madison Rae Oldendorf.

He is also survived by his mother and stepfather Sally Ann and Tom Degenhart of Geneva, Ill., as well as his stepmother Dr. Sandra Oldendorf of Bozeman, Mont. He leaves behind siblings, Dr. Ann Oldendorf of Ann Arbor, Mich., Andrea Oldendorf of Nashville, and Andrew Oldendorf of Bozeman, Mont.

He also leaves behind special friends Marley and Watson.

He will be greatly missed by many friends and family.

Arrangements are behing handled by Jackson Funeral Services of Oliver Springs. All immediate services will be private with a celebration of life to follow at a later date.