Grant County Public Utility District Commissioner Dale Walker, 75, died Sunday from complications with lung cancer, according to a release from the PUD on Monday.

Walker had been serving as commissioner since 2011 and was instrumental in leading the PUD through a time of growth and development, the release stated.

He was a proponent of the PUD’s current initiative to extend fiber-optic service throughout the county and of development of financial policy, which would keep power rates low and pay down debt. He worked to ensure PUD customers benefited from the county’s growth, the release stated.

“We are all very saddened to learn of Dale’s passing,” Grant PUD General Manager Kevin Nordt said in the release. “Our thoughts are with his wife, Cheryl, and his family. Dale treated his fellow commissioners and the PUD staff as part of his extended family. He always strived to do his best as a commissioner to represent our customers. He was not afraid to challenge us to look for ways to improve, but he could do that while being kind and warm. Dale had a wonderful laugh and smile. As a commissioner, he embodied our motto of ‘Excellence in service and leadership.’”

Walker was elected in 2010 to the Second District, covering part of Moses Lake and the southeastern part of Grant County. His current term was to expire in December 2022.

He was a longtime Grant County resident and active in agriculture and agriculture research. And, his family was involved in the Columbia Basin Project development. Additionally, he was on several organizations at the local, state and national level representing the agricultural industry, as well as on the boards of several electrical industry organizations.