Gene Walker Sr.

GENE SIMEON WALKER, SR. MARCH 15, 1926 - JANUARY 19, 2015 Gene Walker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, rancher, and community leader left this life for a better one Monday afternoon, January 19, 2015. He died as he wished, peacefully at home on the Vaquillas Ranch, in the arms of loved ones. Gene Walker lived his life to the fullest up to the moment of his death, envisioning and completing several significant projects in the last few days and months. Born at Mercy Hospital in Laredo, TX, Gene was a proud alumnus of Laredo schools including Nye, McDonald, Christian, and Martin, as well as Schreiner Institute and Texas Tech. His commitment to education was evident in 20 years' service on the Webb County School Board, many as its president. He was in the ranching, oil and gas and wildlife management business for over 70 years, with ranches in South Texas, West Texas, and Chihuahua, Mexico. Gene was a humble man who was surprised by the many honors he received over the years, and insisted that there were many others just as worthy who might have been selected. Some awards stood out in his mind: being selected twice as Rancher of the Year (Borderfest 1988, LIFE 2003); chosen with his brother, sister and brother-in-law as Junior Achievement Laureates in 1999; honored by LULAC as a Tejano Achiever in 2002; and finally this past year chosen by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce to represent the Walker clan as Business Person of the Year. Ranching was more than a business for Gene Walker -it was a way of life for a man whose highest values were service to God and family and compassion for God's creatures. Mr. Gene S. Walker, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents, J.O. and May Haley Walker; wife Mary Katherine Walker; brother J.O. and Bonnie Jean Walker, Sr., and sister Elizabeth "Bess" and Evan Quiros. He is survived by his wife Susan Walker; children, Gene S. "Primo" (Carllyn) Walker, Jr., James Patrick "Rick" Walker, Elizabeth "Libit" (Joey) Scott, May Kathleen "Kandy" Walker, Travis (Holly) Baker, Erin (John) Albanese; grandchildren, Jeffory Walker, Cathy (Kevin) Reed, Kandy E. Walker, Marygene (Adam) Rose, James Patrick Walker, Amanda (Dustin) Hayes, Mary Kathleen "Katie", Kyle (Ashley) Koonce, Haley Leyendecker, Zane and August Baker, Sophie Albanese, and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and other loving relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez from 5 to 9 in the evening. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 22, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 7610 N. Bartlett Ave., Laredo, Texas, 78041 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Amber Yeary; in song will be Erin Eichorst; and pianist will be Julie Reimund. Everyone is encouraged to meet at church. Pallbearers will be: Jeffory Walker, Patrick Walker, Kyle Koonce, William Baize, Tony Rodriguez, and Tim Pickens. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Larry Brock, Ret. Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson, Jim Turner, and Jim Kollman. A private family interment will be officiated by Msgr. Stanley Sliwiak at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Sacred Heart Children's Home, 3310 S. Zapata Hwy., Laredo, Texas 78046, (956)723-3343; Laredo Animal Protective Society, 2500 Gonzalez, Laredo, Texas 78045, (956)724-8364, website: www.petadoptlaredo.org/donate; or TSCRA, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association- Law Enforcement, website: www.texascattleraisers.org.