Walter Douglas King

Walter Douglas King passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas surrounded by his family, having just celebrated his sixty-ninth wedding anniversary on December 29, 2023 and his ninety-fourth birthday on January 4. Walter was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 4, 1930. He was the only child of Walter Joseph King and Helen Foster King. He lived a full life that revolved around his family, his social clubs, travel and his passion for automobiles. Since August, 2005 he has lived in Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Walter graduated from Xavier University Preparatory High School in 1947. He attended Xavier University for a year and transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and joined the ROTC. While a student he became a member of Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation from Southern University he joined the U. S. Army Transportation Corps with the rank of Second Lieutenant. In December, 1954, he married Viola Daste of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who he met while they were both students at Southern University.

In many ways he was a pioneer in the pre-Civil Rights Era in the late 1950’s. He attended Loyola University and Dillard University where he earned credits which qualified him to work as a research chemist at Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. His employment there began in 1956, beginning a career which spanned more than forty years. He was among the first African-American employees at this facility. He co-authored numerous papers and developed patents in natural polymer research. Much of his research involved the development of wash and wear products that make cotton as wearable and easy to care for as it is today. He was the first Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor at the Research Center, a position he held for more than twenty years where he successfully resolved numerous cases involving pay equity as well as gender equality. He also served as Black History Coordinator. In this capacity, he brought to the Center a number of individuals from the African-American community to enhance cultural awareness among SRRC employees. Walter retired from Southern Regional Research Center in 1996.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and Research and Engineering Scientists of America. He was also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., The Webs Social Club and a member for 52 years in the Bunch Club.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Viola Daste King; one daughter, Marcia King Galatas one grandson, Rodney C. Galatas II and one great-grandson, Rivers Miles Galatas, all of Houston, Texas. He leaves behind to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loving family members and friends.

A memorial visitation for Walter will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Transfiguration Of The Lord Catholic Church, 5621 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will occur Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5621 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122. A committal service will occur Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, 3421 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119. In Lieu of flowers donations to the American Heart Association