Gene Walker passed away November 11, 2021, at the age of 87.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 14, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Center with Bro. Josh Samford officiating, assisted by David Chadwick.

Gene was born, raised, worked, and retired in Center, Texas.  He attended and graduated from Center High School in 1950 and went on to attend and graduate from The University of Texas with a BBA in 1954.  Following his high school graduation, he served as a bookkeeper at East Texas Poultry Plant since he couldn’t get a job with companies due to the draft status of A-1.  In 1954 he worked as a court reporter after a two year stay in the US Army, serving as secretary to the General of EUCOM (United States European Command).  In 1958, Gene married Dolores Warr, and they had two children, Steve and Laura Walker.

As a man of God and an active member of his community, he served in many roles where he was able to touch the lives of others.  Gene was an active member of First Baptist Church in Center for over 50 years where he was an ordained deacon, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School classes and participated in multiple summer trips with the youth group.  Gene was an influential presence in the Shelby County 4-H drill team, helping lead the drill team to 10 state titles while he served as Drill Master and eventually went on to serve on the State Leadership Board.  Gene also served as Treasurer for the Center Noon Lions Club for many years and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Center Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to being an essential part of the community, Gene was a loving husband, uncle, father and grandfather.  His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, Caitlin and Lane.  They will always remember him, as a loving, caring man who went out of his way to make sure they were taken care of in all ways imaginable- from “secretly” slipping them money to making special dishes at supper just for them and even tolerating a dog at the dinner table!  Caitlin will miss the early morning talks with her Papaw as he served the thinnest, crispiest grilled cheeses and made sure her milk glass stayed full.  Lane will forever remember sitting on the swing in the front yard, playing their personal game where they counted the trucks and cars that passed by on the highway.

Gene will be greatly missed by all who had the benefit to know him.

Left behind to cherish his memories is his daughter, Laura Walker of Center; son, Steve Walker and wife Catherine of Buna; grandchildren, Caitlin Stevens and husband Bart and Lane Walker; nieces, Linda Mason and husband Wayne and Terri Bryan; brother-in-law, Gaylon Warr.

Preceded in death by his wife, Dolores Ann Walker; parents, Kaufman Elijah “Cap” Walker and Ruby Maurine Humphries Walker; sister, Marie Robinson; niece, Theresa Robinson; and brother-in-law, Ken Warr and wife Jean.

Pallbearers will be Phil Worsham, Burton Brown, Bryan Wages, Ken Muckelroy, Clint Porterfield, Dennis Mince, Steve Jeans, and John Black.  Honorary pallbearers will be McNeil Moore, Jack Nichols, Bennie Owens, Harold Hansen, Moffett Sunday School Class (Vance Green).

A special thanks to Ruby Gaddis, Pine Grove Staff, and the staff of Affinity Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Katherine Pinkston Scholarship Fund in memory of Gene Walker.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com