John Leslie Walker, Sr. - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend - passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024.
John was born to Walter and Neely Walker in York, SC on May 4, 1933. He had one older brother, Walter C. Walker. John was raised in a Christian home and, as a youngster, attended White Hill A.M.E. Church in Rock Hill, SC.
In his early years, John and his family moved to Morristown N.J. where he worshiped at Bethel A.M.E. Church and graduated from Morristown High School where he was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
From there John attended Wilberforce University where he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and ultimately became a lifetime member. Also, while at Wilberforce, John met his wife-to-be, Mary. They were engaged and married on August 28, 1955. Their romance lasted 68 years and was blessed with two wonderful children John Jr. and Karen who were raised in Queens, NY.
During this time John served in the U.S. Army. While he missed being with his wife he also had the opportunity to travel which later became a passion and a career path which evolved into an amazing journey that took John and his family to places like Paris, France, Cairo, Egypt and just about every country in the Middle East and Africa. Much of this travel took place when John worked for Chemical Bank, NY. John joined the bank as a loan officer and went on to become one of the bank’s first African American Vice Presidents. Also, while with Chemical, John received advanced degrees from Rutgers and Harvard University and was a poster child for the United Negro College Fund’s - “A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste” - campaign. After retiring from Chemical Bank, John, never one to sit idle, became the Senate elected Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the Clinton Administration.
John was a religious, selfless and caring man! Even as his career was beginning to present him with incredible opportunities, John made sure to find the time for him and his family to go to church EVERY Sunday. John always went above and beyond so it’s no surprise that he also was a Church Steward, Treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a Boy Scout Troop leader, a Mason and a role model to many!
John and Mary later moved to Dover, Delaware where they attended Bethel A.M.E. Church. While there, John became a Professor at Delaware State University and Chairman of the Board (20 years) for Wilberforce University.
John and Mary moved to Waxhaw, NC in 2010 where they joined their 2 children and 6 grandchildren. They became members of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte NC, where John was baptized. John loved being with his family, listening to music, singing, talking with others and, of course, a good meal. Even towards the end, John would ask for homemade applesauce and potato salad and nobody could make it for him except “Momma” - Mary! Just as strong as John stood for Mary, Mary stood just as strong for John! An amazing relationship, an incredible life, a devoted parent, a role model for many and a legacy that will never die. Well done Jobn Walker, your life was illuminating and inspiring.,
John is survived by his wife Mary A Walker; his son John L. Walker Jr.; his daughter Karen F, Spencer; 6 grandchildren - Ashley Walker Newman, (Kayla Newman); Courtney L. Martin (Rashad H. Martin); John L. Walker III; Stephanie M. Spencer; Anthony Spencer, Jr. Christopher W. Spencer and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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