Pasadena Community Foundation Helps Administer Charity Fund in Memory of Sierra Madre Man

The Pasadena Community Foundation is helping a mourning mother and father pay tribute to the memory of their son through a charitable foundation in his memory.

The Uookaa Foundation — pronounced ‘wah-kah’ — honors the life of Walker Wesley, who died unexpectedly in March, according to the PCF.

Born and raised in Sierra Madre, attending Sierra Madre and Pasadena schools, Wesley left a deep and lasting impact on the local community through his spirit and love of the arts, music, cultures and the outdoors, the organization said in a written statement.

“Walker did not live long enough to become a husband and father, but he lived a very full life and touched many people with his positive energy, kindness, sense of humor, and fun-loving nature,” according to the Foundation website. “Walker was a people person to his core. He was comfortable talking with anybody, but more importantly, he enjoyed listening. He had an irrepressible curiosity about people and cultivated close friendships wherever he went.”

He studied cultural anthropology at UC Santa Cruz and enjoyed sharing his love of music as a DJ on the school’s radio station, PCF representatives said. His love of art led him to ultimately work in the movie prop industry.

He died on March 7, according to Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner records. His death was ruled accidental.

“Uookaa” is a reference to Walker Wesley’s nickname, which was given to him by a neighborhood child who had difficulty pronouncing his first name, according to the Uookaa Foundation.

Founded by his parents, Fred Wesley and Alison Snow, with help from the PCF, in April, the fund has garnered nearly $70,000 “to focus the majority of its charitable giving in three areas: Arts and Culture, Youth and Education, and Environment and Animal Welfare,” the Foundation

“Walker’s family hopes that total will soon reach their initial goal of $100,000 so that funding for their chosen causes can begin,” according to the PCF statement.

“Walker touched many people with his positive energy, kindness, sense of humor, and fun-loving nature,” the statement continued. “Pasadena Community Foundation is proud to help honor his life and encourage charitable support for the causes he loved. Fred and Alison will host an intimate memorial gathering for Walker in mid-August.”

More information on The Uookaa Foundation is available on the organization’s website at pasadenacf.org/funds/the-uookaa-foundation.