Oliver Steeley Walkup

Jack was born to Charles Wesley and Mary Steeley Walkup in 1923 in Mount Calm, TX. He was raised in Dawson, TX during the depression where he and his brothers picked cotton and did various other jobs to earn money and goods for the family. After graduating from Dawson High School in 1940, he attended Texas Tech University where he earned a degree in Accounting and graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1944. He continued his education at Northwestern University where he earned an MBA degree. After earning his Master’s degree, Jack joined Arthur Anderson and worked there until he joined his brother, W.E., in 1951 to start what turned out to be a 69 year career at Walkup Company. Over those 69 years, Jack touched the lives of his friends and co-workers with the goodness of his heart. He was a devout Christian, a long-time member of First Methodist Houston Church and the Quillian Sunday School class. As a truly godly man, honesty, integrity, compassion, and generosity were some of the admirable qualities that marked Jack’s life. As the youngest of the family, Jack took on the responsibility of being the caregiver for his mother (Mary), his sister (Mary Emma), and his brother, Paul, who was deaf and mute. Jack learned sign language and served as Paul’s interpreter and was not only his caregiver, but also his best friend. In the latter years of brother Charles’ life, Jack was his caregiver, too. In addition to his selfless care for family members, Jack generously donated to the School of the Deaf, Houston Hospice, Star of Hope as well as numerous other charities.

In his younger years, Jack’s hobbies included photography and travelling the world. If one asked the right questions, he could hear wonderful stories of Jack’s adventures, and would be astounded by Jack’s remarkable memory. He also enjoyed social activities at church. He learned to play the piano as an adult and served as the pianist for his Sunday School class.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary, brother W.E. Walkup, Sr. (Florence), brother Charles Walkup (Elizabeth), brother Paul Walkup, sister Mary Emma Walkup and niece Carolyn Schweinsberg.

Jack is survived by his nephew Ed Walkup (Velma), great nephew Keith Walkup, great niece Phyllis Yeats (David), great niece Laura Roberts (Jay), great nephew Raymond Walkup (Lisa), great niece Kathy Merritt, along with many great-great nephews and nieces.

Special thanks to Jack’s longtime friends, Rodolfo Leal Cortez and Lilia G. Cortez Leal for always being there for Jack. Their love and countless hours of care were truly a blessing.