Thomas Ray Walker

Thomas Ray Walker Jr., 70, known affectionately as Jr. to his friends and family, was a longtime resident of Madisonville, Texas. He was born in Grapeland, Houston County, Texas, on January 21, 1955, to proud parents, T.R. and Eula Lois (Turner) Walker, and passed away on November 16, 2025, at his home in Madisonville, Texas.

Jr. was the sixth of eight children and was raised in the Big 5 Community of Crockett, Texas. At an early age, Jr. confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized at Union Chapel Baptist Church under the pastoral guidance of H.L. Lewis and remained an active member until adulthood. He later attended Antioch Church of Christ under the leadership of Bro. Howard Watson Sr.

Jr. attended Austonio Elementary School in Crockett, Texas and attended Crockett High School before entering into military service. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January of 1976 and served honorably until his discharge from active duty in 1979. His enlistment included time spent in San Diego, California, Japan, two years on the USS Ranger, and Jacksonville, Florida. After his release, Jr. began a career as a truck driver. He loved riding horses and cooking BBQ, but most of all, he loved caring for his grandson, Zion.

Jr. was preceded in death by both parents; sons, Aaron Walker and Carlester Nealey; brothers, Sammy Walker, Donald Walker, Rudolph Walker, Jimmy Walker; and sisters Della Howard and Eula Houston.

Those left to cherish Jr.’s memory are his loving and devoted wife of twenty-two years, Odessa (Nealey) Walker; sister, Carrie Gilford (Marvin) of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Cassandra Nealey, Sharee Davis, and ShaKeirra Turner, all of Madisonville, Texas; godson, Nicholas Houston; a very special grandson, Zion Green; ten other grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Dorothy Walker of Midway, Texas; brothers-in-law, D.C. Nealey (Joyce) and Lamar Nealey (Susan), both of Midway, Texas, Bobby Nealey (Rena) of Madisonville, Texas, and David Nealey (Sonia) of Bryan, Texas; other sisters-in-law, Bettie Jackson of Houston, Texas, Linda Kendrick and Cheryl Jackson (Dalton), both of Midway, Texas, Tracy Bromley (Sherman) of Port Arthur, Texas, and Barbara Holmes (Frank) and Johnnie Merchant, both of Madisonville, Texas, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other extended family, and loving friends.

Pallbearers:  Donald Ray Walker Jr., Jimmy C. Walker, Patrick Howard, Stacey Walker, Cameron Gilford, Ladarrian Byrd, Ja’Colbee Q. Byrd.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Marvin Gilford, D.C. Nealey, Bobby Nealey, Lamar Nealey, David Nealey, LaMount Jenkins, Michael Jones.

A funeral service, officiated by Bro. Howard Watson Sr., will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at Antioch Church of Christ, Midway, Texas. Immediately following the service, Jr. will be taken to his final resting place in Mt. Zion Cemetery, west of Grapeland, Texas. Visitation will take place in the chapel of Madisonville Funeral Home on Friday, November 28, 2025, from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.

Final arrangements for Thomas Ray Walker Jr. are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.