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Tom Walker Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Tom Walker
Sponsored by Jula Walker.
della
July 17, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
della bella
July 17, 2021
Blessings Tommy
della bella
July 17, 2020
God bless Tommy , miss you
della Bella
July 17, 2020
Bless you Tommy, youre missed by della.
So sorry I didnt get to kiss you good bye, see you in heaven
della
August 18, 2018
Bless Tommy,
You're missed
Chuck Maultsby
September 13, 2016
I sure am glad that I can say that Tom was always my friend and sometimes a treasured band-mate... Thanks for "MY GIRL PASSED OUT IN HER FOOD" Tommy... your song still brings a collective smile to any audience we play it for, You and your sense of humor lives on my friend.
Happy Trails Until We Meet Again...
Barbara Dillon
July 17, 2016
Dear Tommy, as always better late then never. I met you in 1964 at the Cactus Bowl while you were playing there. My best friend lived across the street from you on Juanita, we spent a lot of time at your house, and I knew your sister Wendy. I spent a lot of evenings listening to you play music at the Moxie Club, the Lighthouse Y, Iceland Bowl, and many other venues. I was fortunate to hear you play the Blues that you loved so much. We lost Larry in 1967..far to soon. Now you've left us much to early..the music has stopped. I have all the promo materials that you gave me from the Dearly Beloved...it all holds such precious memories of a very special time in my life. I will always miss you, and carry you in my heart. Love, Barbara
Yvonne Salisbury
July 16, 2013
I remember you from years ago Mr. Walker and loved your band. May God Bless you and may you Rest in Peace.
Judy Hogan Van Wickler
March 11, 2008
Jula: Tom and I were close in the 1990's and we stayed in touch until I moved away in 2000. It is with great sadness that I learned of his passing today. Jula, I hope you know that when he spoke of you his face lit up. He loved you very much.
I will cherish his memory and hope that he rests in peace.
Terry lee
December 21, 2007
Tom,
I remember making go-carts out of scrap wood and lawn mower engines. And sailing inner tubes down the wash on Grant Road in the summer storms. Hours in the garage learning guitar together. Writing songs. Spending all day body surfing at Huntington Beach. Wide-eyed and breathless the first time we pulled into LA at night. Gigs on the road, a thousand motels. The fake fistfights, inside jokes and a bond stronger than any brothers.
Love ya and miss ya.
Terry
Lynette Cox
November 23, 2007
Jula, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I just heard he passed away on 11/22/07. I would have been at the services if I had known. My heart goes out to ALL his family.
God Bless Tom. With all my sympathy, Lynette
Will Almich Sr.
August 15, 2007
I worked in Tucson Radio from 61 to 82 and did manage The Travelers and other groups. I met Larry Cox & Tom Walker in 1962 or 63 when they were in The Intruders later they became Dearly Beloved(Flight 13,Wait Till The Morning,Peep Peep Pop Pop)After his rock n'roll days Tom became a Blues legend playing with Sam Taylor & fronting his own band. Tom was a world class musician and his music is eternal. I hope Dan'l Gates re-releases Toms Music On CD since he was mgr.& producer for The Dearly Beloved. I'd love to hear from Jula.Sincerely Will Almich Sr.
Jim Nordgren
July 28, 2007
Tommy Walker, you will be missed.
I met Tommy in the late sixties while I was still at the U of A. We put together a little known super group called Eight Deep. Tommy brought in the rhythm section and vocalists: Tommy Walker (Guitar & Vocals) Ron Green (vocals), Billy Adams (Bass & Vocals), Alex Valdez (Drums & Vocals), Jim ? (Keyboard), and myself (Trombone & Trumpet) and two brothers Mike Young (Sax & Horn arrangements) & Erinie Young(trumpet) made up the horn section. Man, what a sound, extreme vocals and a smoking horn section. Tommy’s vocal arrangements rivaled any of the top recording bands, like Three Dog Night and Mike’s horn arrangements were right on with the likes of Chicago. Fun stuff, but short lived.
My senior year I took a job with an Hawaiian show (The Ernie Menehune Show). It was a top forty Hawaiian band with twin hula girls, a comedian, rhythm section, and two horn players. About six months into the gig we needed a bass player, so I called Tommy. He said, “he was a guitar player, not a bass player.” But as any musician will tell you, you do what you gotta do. Our first gig with Tom was a Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. He flew in, plugged in a bass and we started the gig with no rehearsals. BB King was playing the late show at Caesars, and we went just about every night. Everything went pretty good, Tommy was learning the arrangements on stage and it got better every night. During the second week of the gig, all of a sudden there wasn’t any bass. I turned and looked at Tommy, he was frozen staring at a gentleman in the audience, the gentleman was BB King. Fun stuff.
Tommy you will be missed, but not forgotten. Party on brother.
Lesley Gomez-Gahagan
July 28, 2007
I knew Tommy from the time we were very young amd full of mischief-practicing in the rumpus room at my folks house. Lots of memories and stories to be told! I know he and Richard are playing the blues together along with so many of the musicians they loved, admired and were inspired by.Peace with his loved ones at this time and always, and God Bless.--Love,Lesley-Richard's "little" sister
mary beth bascom
July 28, 2007
Oh Tom Tom, Meet you in the enchanted garden at Valley of the Moon. Bye Bye my friend. m.b.
Early Dearly's
July 27, 2007
Michele
July 25, 2007
As president of the Dearly Beloved Fan Club, I spent many weekend nights enjoying the music of a legend. Tommy may have seemed like the quiet one but all of these years later, I can still remember his mischievious grin and easy laugh. Tommy will be missed. Fortunately his music lives on in the hearts of those who loved him.
Jim Hilkemeyer
July 25, 2007
As the first manager of Tom's neighborhood garage band the Intruders, I also wanted to voice my appreciation of Tom and acknowledge that he added greatly to my life. At his Services yesterday, I heard his recording "Why Me?". Yes, Why Tom at a young age. He has more music left. I hope to hear it.
1964 The Intruders
July 25, 2007
Chip
July 25, 2007
Tommy and The Dearly Beloved were great influences on my life.You could always tell that they were not only a great band but great friends that fed off of each other in spirit.I have to many memories and good times with these guys to list here but Toms leaving us has left a void for not only myself but I am sure many others. May he and Larry and the guys be remembered forever as a part of Tucson history.
John
July 24, 2007
God Bless you Tommy. I grew up in Tucson in the 60's and saw many great
bands in Tucson, played in a couple but the Dearly Beloved was one of
my all time favorites. I still listen to my Intruder 45's (Every Time
It's You, Let Me Stay, Now She's Gone & Why Me) along with my
Dearly Beloved 45's. (I still love Merry Go Round and Flight Thirteen)
What a great loss for the Tucson music scene! Rest in peace Tommy, I'm
sure you and Larry will put together a great band in Heaven.
Dan'l Gates
July 24, 2007
It seems like only such a short time ago that I was lucky enough to persuade a young group of Tucson musicians to let me produce and record them, hoping to help them achieve enough notice and success that I hoped would lead them to national prominance. They had done a few local recordings under a couple of names, but at a "name finding" session in one of the group's home, I noticed a book on a shelf entitled, "Dearly Beloved". After a little convincing, the group agreed to this being their new name. Shortly, we trekked to Audio Recorders in Phoenix where I was lucky to be able to produce two sides, one of which was "Peep Peep Pop Pop". This recording, eventually released on Columbia Records, did the desired job. Even though the future looked bright, one never knows what pitfalls might hamper even the greatest hopes. Still, this group of solid young men were able to record several more songs which I produced, and often helped arrange. Tommy Walker was a vibrant and important part of this group, and in later years continued on his own, or sometimes in tandem with others, including others of the Dearly Beloved members. Tommy, wherever you are now, know that you helped make a large part of my life be filled with pleasure with your music. Play on Tommy....play on!
Michelle Gates (Peters)
July 24, 2007
My father had alot to do with the Dearly Beloved back in the days, so you might say that I grew up with them. I have never forgotten a single one of them and have always wanted to get in contact with each of them.....It saddens me to know that I will not get the chance to see Tommy again...but his music has always and will always be with me. Rest in peace....you are missed and we are blessed for having had the fortune to share a place in time with you.
Kathi Hughes
July 24, 2007
I lived on the corner of Juanita Street, just down the block from Tommy Walker. Remember the putt-putt sound of his old car (was it a Model T? Model A??). I also remember him rowing a boat down the street during one of our many summer rain stroms. I saw him perform with (and danced to) the Dearly Beloved many, many times in the sixties. How sad that part of my teenage memories has passed.
Spencer Hopping
July 24, 2007
I first met Tommy in 1965 at Catalina High School. We were in different bands in those days but in the small Tucson music scene in the 60's, there was a friendly and competitive atmosphere. Tom played a great rhythm guitar and the Intruders had great songs and great equipment. I can still hear Peep Peep Pop Pop and Wait Till the Mornin' roll around in my mind. I haven't seen Tommy since 1969...but the early days of his band are shared by others, probably a lot more than he knew.
Dale Smith ( The Grodes )
July 23, 2007
Dearly Beloved, Rest in peace Tom
CATHY WARNER
July 23, 2007
TOMMY PLAYED FOR US A FEW TIMES AT THE BOONDOCKS BETWEEN '96-2002 OR 2003. HE COULD ROCK THE HOUSE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE 'FELT THE MUSIC',
HE DIDN'T HAVE TO SEE IT. GOD REST HIS SOUL. CATHY WARNER
CATHY WARNER
July 23, 2007
TOMMY PLAYED FOR BILL & I MOSTLY WHEN WE OWNED THE CHICAGO BAR 2/84-4/88. IT WAS BOOGIEMAN BLUES & I STILL HAVE AN OLD LOGO I TREASURE FROM THAT BAND. HE WAS A DEAR HEART AND A TRUE GUITAR PICKER EXTAORDAINAIRE! CATHY WARNER
Ed Vasquez
July 23, 2007
Growing up in Tucson I knew of Tommy as a great musician, but was never able to meet him personally. I moved back to Tucson in the summer of 2002 after being gone for 20 years, and attended the blues festival at Reid park. Tommy was brought onto the stage as a guest artist and floored the audience, and musicians alike. Sitting out in the audience I desperately wanted to walk on stage and play with that man. My dream finally came true when I was fortunate enough to play with him at his sisters (Trish and Dean) wedding in 2003. We looked each other in the eye while playing, and I knew that this was a magical experience for me. Tommy touched my soul. Tommy was not only a good musician...he was also a great, and wonderful person. My regret is that I didn't take advantage of his offer to put a band together with him. However, his music and life will live on through my soul. I will never forget Tommy.
Randy Cochran
July 23, 2007
I jammed a few times with Tommy and understand he wrote one the more popular Chuck Wagon songs. I was priviledged to play in the Wheels for a few years and Tommy's song was one of my favorites. I know he will be missed by many.
mike mcgee
July 23, 2007
Never got to hear his stuff but a good blues musican lives on forever in the hearts of his fans. God bless him.
Tony Uribe
July 23, 2007
God bless Tommy Walker. A man who loved to play music for people. You know no matter what life threw at Tommy all he wanted to do was play for us. That's all he wanted. That is a beautiful gift that he gave the world. Peace brother...
And say hi to Richard for me.
Veronica Valentino
July 23, 2007
This morning, while reading the article and the obituary for Tommy, I caught myself singing "Wait 'Til The Morning." That was a great song! With the going down of this evening's sun, prayers and sweet sage will be offered up in behalf of Tommy, to guide him in his journey West. With each step, may the Creator of the Universe wash his spirit clean, freeing Tommy to soar on high with family and friends who greet him now over there.
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