“Buck” J. Walker, Jr. In 1958 they moved to Lancaster, California due to Buck’s employer,
McDonald Aircraft, transferring him to a new location. Additional transfers in the near future
would land them in multiple locations across the country from Ridgecrest, California, Lexington
Park, Maryland and Ocean Beach, Virginia. They would finally plant their roots in Alamogordo,
New Mexico in 1963, and called this town home for many years.
John started the 2nd grade in Alamogordo and would attend school there until he graduated
from Alamogordo Senior High School in 1974. Alamogordo High School would also be where
he met his high school sweetheart, Keron Dee Bannerman.
After high school John enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and was sent to San Diego
for basic training in 1975. Upon completion of basic training he was sent to North Carolina and
was stationed at Cherry Point where he learned to work on C-130 propellers, and this started
his aviation career that carried him throughout his life.
North Carolina also brought other beginnings for John. He wed, the love of his life, on February
21,1976 and they would have two children while they were there. Brandi Lynn Walker was born
on February 11, 1978 followed by John Phillip Walker, Jr “Johnny Jr.” on January 22, 1979.
With their growing family in tow, in 1980 John’s career in aviation landed them in Dallas, Texas
where he was so fortunate to work with and meet so many people whom he loved and
respected. He was lucky enough in his career to learn so many things, and got to travel to
many places, doing what he loved.
His final place of employment was at Hunt Aviation, where he took pride in helping care for their
2 corporate jets, however, this job which he loved, was cut short due to the pandemic and then
his cancer diagnosis. He stopped working in 2020 and started fighting the cancer that would
eventually take over his body, and cause his heart to stop on his last day on earth with us.
John is preceded in death by his father, William “Buck” J. Walker, his brothers, Michael Walker
and Steve Walker, and his sister Debbie Sanders. He is survived by his mother, Dora Jones Walker, his wife of 45 years, Keron Dee Bannerman, 2 children, Brandi Lynn Walker and John Walker, Jr. grandchildren, Austin Michael McRight, Alexa Marie Walker and Pretti Marnell Walker. He has three surviving siblings, brothers, Keith Robert Walker, Dale Sauget and his sister, Debie Pirkle. John is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends who he considered family.
He loved his family and extended family so much.
John will be laid to rest at DFW National Cemetery at a later date with full United States Marine Corps Military Honors.
