Tom Walker

Thomas L. “Tom” Walker passed away on Saturday, the 29th of October 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years of age. He was born on the 19th of August 1948, in Galveston, Texas, to Weldon and Lelda Cargile Walker. Tom was a loving son, husband, father, and dear friend to many.

Growing up in Houston, he developed many life-long friendships starting in elementary school and continuing through Bellaire High School.

Tom’s strong work ethic began during summers spent working at his father’s lumberyard, Walker-Kurth Lumber Company. Two months after graduating from Texas Tech University in 1970 with a BA in finance (SAE), he incorporated Tom Walker Homes. He founded Gateway Homes in 1990. Gateway was a production builder that built over 6,000 homes in Houston and the surrounding area. Gateway was continuously listed in the top 25 builders in Houston from 1998 – 2008.

A longtime member of Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA), Tom served on the board for many years and was president in 1990. He was named “Builder of the Year Houston” twice during his 50 years in home building and land development.

Since 1993, Tom was a proud second-generation member of Executives Association of Houston, serving as president in 2012. Along with serving on several non-profit boards and committees, Tom was most proud of his commitment to CBMC - discipling men and having a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a long time member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

Tom enjoyed travels and golf with Janet, along with fly-fishing and time with family in Colorado.

He truly led by example. His quick wit and sincere encouragement will be missed by many. What a blessing he was to all who had the privilege to know Tom.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Weldon and Lelda Walker; and sister, Patricia Boswell Smith. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janet Schooley Walker; and their daughters, Lesley Anne Walker, Kelly Hayes and her husband Hunter; his daughters, Rachael Maly and her husband Dan , and Jenny Chavez and her husband Damon; grandchildren, Ryan Walker, Raina Cooley and husband Joe, Robby Wall, Jaden Chavez, and Jeslyn Chavez; and many cousins.

A special thank you to Dr. Smaglo and his team at MD Anderson for their encouragement and care during Tom’s fight with pancreatic cancer.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 3rd of November, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Celebration of Life is to be conducted at twelve o’clock noon on Friday, the 4th of November, in the sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where the Rev. Wick Stuckey is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Fellowship Hall.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family request memorial contributions may be made in memory of Thomas L. Walker to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or mdanderson.org/gifts or Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) Houston, 1625 Blalock Road, Houston, TX 77080.