Meet Kent and Stacey Walker, the parents of American Ninja Warrior season 15 winner Vance Walker. Vance credits his parents for everything he’s been able to achieve in life. So who are his parents?
Learn about their ages, jobs, and more in the article below.
Who are the parents of American Ninja Warrior winner Vance Walker?
American Ninja Warrior season 15 winner Vance Walker thanks his parents, Kent Walker and Stacey Walker, for their support and encouragement, helping him achieve his dream of more than eight years. Vance’s life has been difficult since he was born. At just 17 weeks pregnant, Vance’s mother went into premature labor. She spent months in the hospital before giving birth to Vance at 36 weeks.
Vance’s life began on the brink. Speaking to the outlet, Stacey recalled, “For weeks (doctors) would come in and say, ‘He’s not going to make it. He’s not going to make it.’ Starting at 20 weeks, people were saying, ‘Okay, he might make it, but he could have brain damage. He could go blind.’”
At age 1, Kent and Stacey found out their son was unable to walk. “At first, it was just a fear of how it would affect him… and his future,” Kent added. “We were worried about what we could do to help him feel ‘normal’ so he could have all the same opportunities as everyone else.”
Bullies reportedly teased Vance at school because of his braces or the way he walked. While other students at school walked in groups with friends, Vance would walk around the track by himself. He ate his own lunch.
“People would ask him, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ That was the biggest problem,” Stacey added. “I wanted to tell people, ‘There’s nothing wrong with him. That’s the way he was made.’”
But Kent and Stacey have been steadfast in their son’s commitment to making him feel like a normal human being, despite living with a condition (cerebral palsy) that not many people get to see and endure. And he is grateful to his wonderful parents.
“I’m very grateful to have very supportive parents,” Vance said. Today.com“They were there for me every step of the way, helping me get the best support, the best coaching, the best physical therapy — the best everything I could have.”
Meet Kent Walker, Vance Walker’s Father
Vance Walker’s father as we know him is Kent Walker. He was born Steven Kent Walker to Robert and Kathy Walker. His parents were married for 39 years until his father passed away on July 8, 2021.
Kent’s four siblings are Kyle and Shellie Walker, Amy and Tim Smith, Shanin and Rick Nunley, and Ronnie and Lissa Walker.
Kent recently shared on his Facebook the moment Vance was born as they were approaching the ANW season 15 finale. He wrote, “In 2004, I was in Toronto for the Heart Failure Society of America meeting. I got a call from my mother-in-law that Stacey was going into labor and had to come home immediately. She was 17 weeks pregnant with Vance. I flew home thinking she was going into labor. Luckily, they were able to stabilize her and she was in the hospital until 36 weeks. A very difficult pregnancy.”
The post then concluded, “We knew something was wrong when Vance started struggling to walk. He was diagnosed with CP at Texas Children’s Hospital and given braces. 18 years later, Vance is competing in the ANW Season Finals and has a chance to win a million dollars. This young man is no stranger to obstacles!! Tune in next Monday to see if he makes it to Leg 4 and has a chance to win.”
Speaking of Vance’s father, Kent turned 56 in November 2022. He was born in 1966. He attended Klein High School and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.
According to his LinkedIn, he is working as the Southeast Regional Sales Manager at Travere Therapeutics. Some of the jobs he has held throughout his career include being a Regional Sales Manager/Sales Representative at Aventis Pharmaceuticals, a Regional Sales Manager at Scios, Inc., which was acquired by J&J, a Regional Sales Manager at The Medicines Company, a District Sales Manager at Cadence Pharma, which was acquired by Mallinckrodt, and a Divisional Sales Manager at ZS Pharma, which was acquired by AstraZeneca.
Meet Stacey Walker, Mother of Vance Walker
Stacey Walker is the mother of Vance Walker. Stacey was born in November 1973 and is 49 years old. You can find her on Facebook. Unfortunately, details about Stacey’s work and career are not available in the public domain.
Little is known about her family. Stacey’s siblings are Sammy Miller and Aubry Ramsey, a photographer.
Related FAQs
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Are Vance Walker’s parents still married?
Yes, Vance Walker’s parents are still married. In July 2023, Kent posted to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary. He wrote, “Happy 24th wedding anniversary to my beautiful wife!! I love the life we have built. You are truly my soul mate and I can’t wait to see what the next 24 years bring.”
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How many children do Vance Walker’s parents have?
Stacey and Kent also have a son named Braxton Walker. Braxton attended Lassiter High School, studied environmental science at Georgia College & State University, and lives in Marietta, Georgia.
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Where do Vance Walker’s parents live?
Vance Walker’s parents live in Marietta, Georgia.