Peter “Kanyon” Stanley Walker, age 35, unexpectedly passed away on March 24, 2025, in Denver, CO, where he lived for the past 14 years. Though his life was far too short, Peter lived it to the fullest and with authenticity and built an inclusive community that connected people through sound. Peter will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Peter was born on July 12, 1989, in Ypsilanti, MI to John and Anne (Wellman) Walker. He attended Tecumseh and Clinton schools, graduating in 2007 from Clinton High School. He briefly attended Washtenaw Community College, before pursuing his passion for theatrical arts and music. From an early age it was clear that Peter was gifted and enjoyed creative play, music (voice, piano, trumpet) and theater. At a young age he learned and excelled at chess, which fostered his keen interest in strategic, complex games. Ultimately, Peter used all these skills in role-playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons, and his all-time favorite, Dagorhir (a live-action RPG with full-combat melee fighting). Peter cherished moments of joy and light-heartedness with family and friends during summer trips to the family cabin on Otsego Lake, family reunions at Capon Springs, WV, and weeks spent at YMCA Storer Camps.
In 2010, Peter moved to the Detroit area and became involved with the Theatre Bizarre. While there, he worked in a variety of roles behind the scenes and performed as a Fire (Poi Balls) and Hoop Spinner. It was during this period that he took the name Kanyon. After a significant back injury, Kanyon shifted his focus away from physical artistry and returned to music and sound. This journey led him to Denver, CO, where he eventually built his career in the music industry as a DJ and sound engineer.
As a budding architect of sound, Kanyon experimented with visual and aural media, fascinated by the means and methods needed to transform music into works of art that could be enjoyed by all. In 2017, Kanyon founded Subverted Entertainment LTD. In Kanyon’s words, Subverted Entertainment was, “…the realization of a dream – creating transformative spaces where people from all walks of life could come together and experience high-quality, immersive audio events.” Kanyon’s vision was experienced throughout the Greater Denver area at venues that ranged from private gigs to warehouse and underground events. He was involved with events at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in CO; The Caverns in TN; and Burning Man. Kanyon also supported Denver through political activism during the George Floyd protests, which he described as “a time of both collective struggle and hope for change.” Kanyon was fiercely devoted to his friends and to the community he helped to foster. Those fortunate enough to have walked in his world, will carry the unique memory of Kanyon’s spirit, passion, and laugh forever in their hearts.
In addition to his parents, Peter is survived by his older sisters: Jennifer (Craig) Sutherland, Karena (Dave) Bailey, and Laura Wanke, as well as his nieces: Jessica and Janel Penner, Shelby Ponton, Madison Sutherland, and Isabella Wanke. Peter is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as great-nephews Camden and Carter Ponton, and great-niece Kinsley Nicifora. And, his beloved dogs, Gaia and Roman.
A celebration of Peter/Kanyon’s life will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 at noon at the Tecumseh First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s/Kanyon’s memory to the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, Love Notes https://www.thetca.org/donations.html or to Burning Man https://donate.burningman.org.