Lubbock- Richard Earl Walker, age 95, of Lubbock, passed to his eternal reward Saturday, August 25, 2018. He was born January 5, 1923 to Earl Richardson and Laura Winifred (Atchison) Walker in Hillsboro, Texas. Richard graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1944. He was a Greek scholar who studied at Harvard University, where he earned his STB and STM majoring in N.T. Greek. Richard married Helen Elaine (Hinds) Walker on September 10, 1944 in Pueblo, Colorado. Richard and Elaine were among the first missionaries to head to Europe after World War II. In 1949 with two children in tow they left for war-torn Germany and joined fellow missionaries, Otis and Alma Gatewood, Jack and Kay Nadeau, Lloyd and Sarah Collier, Roy and Jaxie Palmer and several others. After brief stays in Zurich, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany, Richard's primary evangelistic work was in Frankfurt and Heidelberg before the family moved to Berlin, where they lived from 1954-1968. Other mission work was also done in Austria, Greece, Norway, Bulgaria and India. Richard and Elaine have five children, three of whom have followed in their parents' footsteps and have been active in overseas evangelism, Sheryl and Tom Black served in Germany, Austria and Bulgaria; Gary and Kathy Walker served in India; and Harold Walker served in Austria. His two other children, Winnie Worley and Archie Walker and their spouses are supporters of missions. He spent over 40 years as a missionary. After Richard retired, he was active in writing several books. His works include Asking in Prayer, From the Greek, The Kingdom, and The Story of the Church. Many of his writings are available on his web page: thekingdomofjesus.com. Richard and Elaine were married for 64 years prior to her passing in September of 2008. They leave behind a legacy of humble service to the Lord. He was a member of the Sunset Church of Christ.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Sheryl Black and husband Tom of Lubbock, Gary Walker and wife Kathy of Lubbock, Archie Walker and wife Susan of Galena, Ohio, Winnie Worley and husband Gary of Livingston, Tennessee, and Harold Walker and wife Jelai of Vernon, Texas; sister-in-law, Helen Hinds of Portland, Oregon; twelve grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; three nieces; and seven nephews. He is also survived by a host of friends and wonderful caretakers.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; a grandson, Tommy Black; parents, Earl and Laura; brother, George Walker; brother-in-law, Gene Hinds; sister-in-law, Gladys Walker.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 31, 2018 from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Venue on Broadway. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Sunset Church of Christ with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Those wishing to make memorial donations are encouraged to support a gospel mission effort of their choice.