John T. Walker was welcomed into Heaven’s arms on Friday, April 6, 2018. He was here with us for 87 years and passed peacefully at his Breckenridge ranch, surrounded by family.

Visitation was Saturday, April 7, at Morehart Mortuary in Breckenridge, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services were held Sunday, April 8, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a military graveside service in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. 

Honorary pallbearers include Ben Lancaster, Bill Calvert, Bobby Anderson, Buddy Fincher, Charles Kuhn, Chaunce Thompson, Danny Brown, Gary Brown, Jim Thompson, John Pond, Kevin Simmons, Les Strickland, Mickey Flatt, Paul Cotton, Randy Jordan, Tim Pesch, Tim Russell, Tom Cyprian, Tom Pierce, Vaughn Baker, Will Thompson, Mike Siebert, Robert Dacus and Carl Everett. Memorials and donations can be made to The Gideon’s International.

John was born May 10, 1930 in Stephens County, to Sullivan Ross Walker Sr. and Cora Mary Clark Walker. He attended and graduated from Breckenridge High School in May 1949, where he cheered on the Breckenridge Buckaroos. 

He returned to his alma mater as a teacher for one year. He attended Tarleton State University from 1949-51, where he was a member of The Purple Poo and ROTC. He then attended East Texas State University from 1951-53 and was a member of the ROTC. He graduated ETSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. 

In 1953, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force to serve the nation he loved. He served as a Personnel Officer, Administrative Officer and Squadron Commander. In 1953, he met Theresa Davis in Bainbridge, Ga., while attending flight school, and they were joyfully married April 19, 1954 in Bainbridge, Ga. 

In 1959, he became a father for the first time, and again in 1962. He served his country in Greenland, Germany and England. In June 1965, he served as a member of the Air Training Commands Inspector General Staff after returning from Germany. In July 1966, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. June 1970-73 he was assigned to Iraklion Air Station on the Isle of Crete as the Deputy Base Commander. He was the attaché to the American Ambassador to Greece in Athens and briefed Congressmen, cabinet officers and members of the Department of Defense. In June 1974, he retired from the U.S. Air Force as Lt. Col. from Goodfellow Airforce Base in San Angelo, after having served as the Base Deputy Commander and Base Inspector General.

After retirement, he moved to Breckenridge, where he worked as an insurance agent and was self-employed as a rancher on his Breckenridge ranch from 1974-79. In 1980, he was employed as the vice president of Citizens National Bank Breckenridge, where he served as a loan officer and auditor until retirement in June 1992. He was also on the Tax Appraisal Review Board. 

John was a very active member of his community. He served as president of the Rotary Club from 1982-83, was named ‘The Paul Harris Fellow’ twice, and initiated The Holiday Flag Program. He had a big heart for spreading the Good News and joined Gideon’s International in 1980 and remained an active member until he went to be with his Lord. He was an active member of the Central Texas Emmaus Community and served as a community lay leader on the board in June 1998. In December 1988, he became a grandfather for the first time and was affectionately known as ‘Poppy’ to his grandchildren. In 1990, he was the drive chairman of Breckenridge United Fund, and from 1993-2002 he was on the Stephens County Rural Water Board, he volunteered with his wife for Walker Sayle Chaplaincy Department for many years, was a member of the Community Bible Study and was chairman of the Breckenridge Blood Drive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sullivan Ross Walker Sr.; his mother, Cora Mary Clark Walker, and brother, Sullivan Ross Walker Jr. 

He leaves behind a loving wife, Theresa Davis Walker of Breckenridge; daughter, Kim Marquess and husband Dan of Breckenridge; son, Bryan Walker and wife Beth of Round Rock; and five grandchildren, Jordan Collie and husband Jonathan of Fort Worth, and Kaitlyn, Brynalise, Caleb and Ian Walker of Round Rock.