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Thomas Earl Walker was born on January 22, 1949 in DeKalb, Texas to the union of Booker Walker and Lena Seals Walker. He was the ninth of eleven children. Thomas confessed his faith in Christ at an early age at Hegler Chapel CME Church in De Kalb, Texas. He graduated from De Kalb High School in De Kalb, Texas in 1967. Thomas was an outstanding football player (# 77), and in 1966 was named All District 13AA Defense. Upon graduating high school, Thomas worked at Lone Star Ammunition Plant in Texarkana, Texas from June 1967 to June 1968. Thomas enlisted in the United States of America Air Force on June 27, 1968 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He reached the rank of Master Sergeant and retired, with honors, on February 28, 1989 in Hampton, Virginia. Thomas’ military career took him all over the world – Texas, Idaho, Maine, Virginia, and Thailand. Thomas married Lucretia Ann Wilkins on April 3, 1971, and to this union his first daughter, Michelle Walker, was born. Thomas married Barbara Verbal in 1980, and to this union his second daughter, Carryn Walker, was born. Subsequent to Thomas’ retirement from the United States of America Air Force, he took the prestigious position of manager/head chef in the Jester Dormitory Cafeteria at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. He was a dedicated and loyal employee for many years until he retired for a second time. He took pride in having the first Martin Luther King Luncheon celebration in the Jester Dormitory Cafeteria. Thomas loved quilting, cooking, woodworking, gardening, and pottery. You name it and he could do it. He took pride in all of his work endeavors. Upon retiring from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, he joined the Austin Area Quilt Guild in Austin, Texas. He attended many quilting conventions. He thought he knew everything about quilting, but he told his niece that he was learning new quilting techniques from the women in the quilting guild, of which some were much older than him. Thomas continuously surprised someone in his family with a quilt especially made for them. This gesture gave him so much pleasure. Thomas was such a giving person. He always had meaningful conversations regarding life, world events, etc. with his family. If you met Thomas, you never would forget his smile, because no matter what was going on in his life, he always had a smile for you. Thomas was firm in his faith throughout his life. On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, he was called home to that wonderful place of eternal life. He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother: Thaddeus Walker; brothers: Wallace Walker, Truman Walker, Charles Walker, and James Walker; sisters: Frances Walker Bowden, Roxie Walker Jackson, and Gloria Walker Childs; niece: Wyndolyn “Gwenn” Bowden; and nephew: Bert “BoBo” Jackson. Left to cherish Thomas’ wonderful memories are his three sisters: Marjorie “Margie” Walker of Texarkana, TX; Eyvonne Walker Daniels (Charles) of DeKalb, TX; and Carolyn Walker of Los Angeles, CA; one sister-in-law: Betty Walker of Lake Dallas, TX.; six nieces: Dr. Glenda Bowden Daniels (Kenneth); Debbie Bowden; Betty “Val” Jackson; Carla Daniels; Rhonda Walker; and Tremetrie Walker; seven nephews: Reverend Kanaan Jackson (Daiquiri); Damon “Dee Dee” Daniels; Quienten Walker (Shaunita); Tory Daniels (Roni); Derrick Walker (Bahati); Gregory Walker (Shanika); and Raymond Walker (Chaznae); special cousins: Carl Franklin (Pin) and Barry Franklin (Marie); and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Thomas also leaves his two daughters: Michelle Walker Smith (David) of Plano, TX; and Carryn Walker of Novi, MI; and step-daughter: Charlynn Walker of Pine Bluff, NC.

Tributes

Thomas Earl Walker

January 22, 1949 - November 30, 2022