Thomas A. Walker, MD

Dr. Thomas A. Walker of Temple died at his home on September 8, 2016, at the age of 86.  Dr. Walker was born on December 15, 1929, in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Dr. A. A. Walker and Mary Francis White Walker.  Following service in Army and his graduation from Phillips University and the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, he practiced medicine with his father in Wewoka.  Tom was a third generation Oklahoma physician. While attending Phillips University, he met Janice P. Denker of Enid, Oklahoma, and they were married on June 14, 1950.   In 1963 he began a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Scott & White.    Dr. Walker served on the staff of Scott & White Clinic until 1970 when he and Drs. Harry Macey and Wayne Baden formed the Women’s Clinic in Temple, where he practiced until his retirement in 1993.  He was a Rotarian, a member of First United Methodist Church of Temple, and his interests included playing in bridge tournaments with his wife, serving as an Explorer Scout leader, canoeing and kayaking, sailing, fishing in Port O’Connor with family and friends every Fourth of July, and enjoying anything involving the outdoors or fixing things.    In retirement, Dr. Walker began raising registered Red Angus cows at his farm in Heidenheimer, and he was involved with, and held various offices in, the national and state Red Angus associations.  He loved involving his family and grandchildren in all aspects of his farming operation.  Weekends at the farm with Dr. Tom (“PaPa” to his grandchildren) created lasting memories and fun for all.   He also participated in the 911 Club, a group of octogenarians who ate lunch together every Wednesday at Al’s BBQ.  They called their lunch club the 911 Club because at their age, who knew what might happen.   Survivors include his wife, Janice Walker; three children and their spouses, Jeanne Cunningham and husband, John; Deborah Punchard and husband, Neil; and Garry Walker and wife, Linda, all of Temple; five grandchildren, Jaima Punchard of Houston, Preston Cunningham of Houston, Scott Cunningham of McKinney, Rob Punchard of Temple, and Catherine Salzman of Cincinnati; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, John Walker of Amarillo and Bob Walker of Sulphur, Oklahoma.       A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 30th at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home.  A  private burial will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Red Angus Foundation, Inc., 4201 N. Interstate 35, Denton, Texas 76207-3415, or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.