Donald A Walker, age 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 11, 2019 with loved ones at his bedside. Don was born February 22, 1931 in Mineral Wells, Texas to Karl A Walker and Ivy White Walker. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Pauline Thomas (husband G.C.) Afton Bullington (husband Noel), brother Robert (Bobby) and by his first wife Anna Yoko Walker to whom he was married for 51 years as well as son William (Bill) Walker and step-son Todd A. Wood.
Don is survived by his wife of almost 12 years, Frances Wood Walker; daughter, Diane Walker and her partner Shane Sutton; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Payne Walker; grandchildren William D. Walker II; Abigail J. Walker; step-daughter, Julie Wood Richards and her children, Andrew and Bethany Richards. He is also survived by brother, Karl (Martha) and Jimmy Walker (Norma) as well as other dear relatives and friends.
As a long-time member of Churches of Christ, Don served congregations in Mineral Well, Denton, and Orange, Texas; Santa Monica, California; Sioux City, Iowa; Ocean City, NJ; New Windsor Township, NY; and since 1968 Turnpike/CrossPoint Church in Grand Prairie. He served as a teacher, ministry leader, deacon and elder. Christ and the Church were very important in his life.
Don graduated from Mineral Wells High School where he played football. He earned his Bachelor's degree from North Texas State University in three and one-half years at the age of 20 while also working in the NTSU library. Don also did graduate work at Abilene Christian College.
Don had a varied career. As a boy, he delivered newspapers on horseback, shined shoes for the military at Fort Walters, and was a soda jerk, taught swimming lessons at the famous Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells. His career included teaching, serving in the U.S. Army, right-of-way engineer for the TX Hwy, Dept., software programmer and site leader for System Development Corp., software systems engineer and mid-level manager for LTV/Loral in GP for 25 years. He retired from Lockheed Martin Corp. in 1993.
When Don's children were young, he was active in YMCA Indian Princesses and Indian Guides, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and youth soccer. Don attended numerous piano recitals and orchestra concerts throughout the years.
Don served the City of GP as chairman of the Commission on Aging and on the Bldg Appeals and Advisory Board. For 22 years he was a volunteer tax counselor (10 yrs. an instructor) in the IRS/AARP program doing tax returns for free for senior citizens and low-income filers at the Grand Prairie Library and Veterans Event Center.
The game of Bridge was an important part of Don's life. He loved the game and was a member of several groups, some of which lasted more than 20 years. He made many dear friends due to his love of the game. Traveling to many varied places was another favorite.
Don often said he was "doubly blessed" because of his marriages to two wonderful, loving, righteous women and he was thankful for his relatives and his church family. He is known for his kindness, goodness, generosity, loving heart, and out-going personality.
The family asks that anyone who would like to make a donation in his honor to please make all donations to the building fund at Cross Point Church of Christ in Grand Prairie, 3020 W. Bardin Road, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050.
