Tommy C. Walker

Tommy Walker 84, of Uvalde passed away on Thursday June 22, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. 

Visitation will be on Monday June 26, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Services will be Tuesday June 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary with Pastor Dr. David Bachelor of Uvalde Methodist Church officiating.  Burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, Uvalde.

Tommy was born March 21, 1939 in Plainview, Texas to Ralph and Juanita Walker.  He grew up farming on the family farm.  Tommy was active in FFA throughout high school showing livestock projects, serving on livestock judging teams and as elected officer and enjoyed woodshop.  He graduated from Plainview High School in 1957.  Tommy married his high school sweetheart Ann Sinclair on September 28, 1957 at United Methodist Church of Plainview Texas.  After working a short while at Woolworth’s Department store in Abilene, Texas Tommy and Ann returned to farming in Plainview.  While in Plainview a son, Randy was born to them. 

In 1964, they moved to Uvalde with a small contingent of farmers from the high plains in search of better opportunities for irrigated farmland.  They were aided in the move by good friends Lewis and Joyce Walker, with the use of two grain trucks.  One of which carried 65 Massey Ferguson tractor and some four-row equipment. 

In addition to leasing a few hundred acres of farmland, Tommy was able to secure a loan and purchase his first farm of 200 acres from D.C. Carnes.  In November of 1965 Tommy was able to again secure a loan and closed on another 275 acre parcel from Max and Delia Brice.  This property would require much clearing of brush, and the additional venture of establishing water wells, as much of it had not previously been cultivated.  Some years later Tommy and Ann built their forever home on this property, that has been left as the family estate, now fondly referred to as the home place.  Later, Tommy obtained a lease on yet another farm of about 250 acres, bringing the total acreage of farmland under his stewardship at close to 1,000 acres. 

Tommy and his family joined the United Methodist Church upon moving to Uvalde, where he attended Sunday school and services until his health began to wane. 

Tommy dutifully served on the board of directors for the Uvalde County Farmers Co-op for several years, where he enjoyed the company of his peers.

In 1988, Tommy was elected to the State Director office District 10 for Texas Farm Bureau, where he served through 1994.  In 2009 he was presented the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award “in honor of pioneering leadership and exceptional service to Texas Farm Bureau and agriculture.”

Tommy and Ann enjoyed traveling when time was allowed, touring much of the continental United States in one type of recreational vehicle or another.  Having purchase a 1976 GMC motor home, Tommy and Ann were members of a GMC motor home club and attended many related functions and annual rallies.

They traveled to Hawaii, and took a trip with friends to The Bahamas, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.

Tommy enjoyed antique cars, owning several, and restoring a 1952 Chevrolet pick-up with his son Randy.  His most enjoyed collectable was a 1929 Model T touring car.

He enjoyed hunting and loved to fish.  In later years, Tommy stayed much of every Fall in Rockport Texas, where they kept an RV and a boat.  Tommy spent many hours on the bay, often in the company of childhood friend Roger Horan.  Together they landed countless trout and redfish. 

He is remembered by his family as being a loving, humble, kind and dedicated husband, father, and Poppy. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and grandson Chance Walker.

Tommy is survived by one son, Randy and wife Dawn of Uvalde; two granddaughters, Bailey Tamplen and husband Tyler of Montgomery, Texas and Courtney Stouder and husband Josh of Houston, Texas; one great grandson Corbin Walker Tamplen; one sister Neysa Carmicheal of Planview Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Weldon Gilleland, Bruce Gilleland, Corey Molloy, Jimmy Carnes, Steve Stoy, and Manza Hale

Honorary Pallbearers will be Lewis Walker, Roger Horan, Bud Duvall, and Neal Burnett