Doyle was born and raised in Temple, Texas. He was the fourth son born to Malcolm Young Walker, Sr. and Vera Dell (Owen) Walker. One time when he was a young boy, his brother Larry tied Doyle to a calf and then the calf took off with Doyle hanging on. That was fine until they got to the creek. That’s when the calf and Doyle went into the creek. Needless to say, Doyle’s mother was not very happy with this outcome.
Doyle loved baseball, football and fishing. He also loved to read, especially historical books. He played violin in high school, which is where he met his wife. They were in orchestra together. Doyle graduated from Temple High School in 1967, and then went on to receive his associate degree from Temple Junior College in 1969. Also in 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Cathy. In 1972, he earned his BS in History and Business from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. He received his Masters of education from North Texas State University in 1978.
From 1972 – 1989, Doyle was a teacher and administrator for the Plano Independent School District. For over twenty years afterwards, he was a salesman for Jostens Printing and Publishing and Inter-State School Photography. He was also an accomplished writer of two children’s books through Belle and Chloe Productions, which was named after his two chocolate labs.
Doyle was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Doyle was also part of the Board of Directors Leadership Plano and Craig Gilbert Scholarship Foundation in 1987.
Being born and raised in Texas, Doyle loved the state almost as much as life itself. He got a tattoo of the Texas flag on his arm when he turned 60. Now that is a true Texan! He always listed as the most important things in his life as his faith in God, the love for his family and his patriotism for his Country.
Doyle loved to go to South Padre Island and took his family on many family vacations there. He also loved to go to Adair’s with his school buddies. Adair’s is a bar in Dallas where you could get a really good hamburger, in Doyle’s opinion. If you could catch him watching a movie, it was anything with John Wayne in it. He was also a huge fan of the Beach Boys!
Doyle was the most loving and caring individual you would ever meet. He tried to live his life by always treating people the way he would want to be treated. His wife would say “everyone loves Doyle”, which is so true. He would do anything for anyone at a drop of a hat. He loved his “Kids” from his teaching days and the time he was a high school administrator with all his heart. He was extremely proud of his son Chris and the man he had become. He also told his best friend in life Cathy ten times a day the he loved her. First thing every morning he shouted “Baby Cakes” when he first saw her. She felt truly blessed to have him as her husband for 49 years. The light of his life in his last days are his three adorable grandsons.
Doyle Ray Walker is preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm Young Walker, Sr. and Vera Dell (Owen) Walker, his brother, Malcolm Walker, Jr., and many beloved fur babies.
Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life, wife Cathy Walker. His son, Christopher Walker and wife Jeannie Walker. His beloved grandsons, Jake Walker and twins Ty and Case Walker. Two brothers Billy Walker and wife Claudia Walker; Larry Walker and wife Judy Walker; sister-in-law Sharon Walker wife of late brother Malcolm Walker, Jr.
Celebration of Life for Doyle Ray Walker will be Sunday, September 2, 2018 at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 8011 Frankford Road, Dallas, Texas, from 3 – 7 p.m. As a side note, September 2nd is Doyle’s birthday, as well as his parents’ anniversary.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Doyle Ray Walker’s honor to Second Chance SPCA, Plano, Texas: http//secondchancespca.org./
