Thomas Walker

Thomas Rafe Walker, Sr. age 77 of Vance, Alabama, passed away August 1, 2024 at DCH Regional Medical Center.  Services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 11:00 am at Magnolia Chapel South. Burial will follow at 1:15 pm at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; William V. and Lois Walker, and his daughter; Cheryl Hutt.

Survivors include his wife; Ann Walker, daughters; Pam Runnels (Rusty), Renee Robinson (Marty), Tommie Alene Smith (Jeff), sons; (TR) Thomas R. Walker, II (Heather), son-in-law; John Hutt, sisters; Cheri Kline, Becky Moore, and Cindy Moore, brothers; Bill Walker, Ken Walker, and Skip Walker, grandchildren; Hunter Runnels, Jeffery Smith II, Jade Thompson, Cameron Elliott, Heather Fleuriet, Kirsten Hill, Trinity Walker (Tink), and Titus Walker, Tom is also survived by 10 great grandchildren and numerous family on the Walker, Kizziah, and Snyder side.

Tom was born July 16, 1947 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He lived locally until 1964, when he moved to Florida where he joined the Navy at 17 years old. He retired from the Navy in 1991 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and served his country for many years.

During his service he received the expert pistol shot, rifle marksman bronze, combat craft crew member, enlisted surface warfare specialist and command senior chief insignia awards. His multiple tours included Beirut, Desert Shield, and a rescue mission in Grenada.

He was joined in holy matrimony to Ann Hubbard, the love of his life or as he has put it on multiple occasions, "my beautiful bride". They currently have been married for 47 wonderful years.

He was a devoted, husband, father, grandfather and brother. He loved spending his time with this wife as well as his family and friends. He loved tinkering with things around the house and on the hill, going on trips with his brothers and feeding his many many cats, whom he did not own because he said you DON'T own cats, they own you.

He always wanted the best for everyone around him, even those he barely knew. On his worse days, his quick-witted humor was always there to help comfort others. He truly was a special person.

I want to end by saying "We appreciate all his hard work for his many years of service. He is an honorable person that gave to this country his life, time, energy and love. With his service came a legacy of Navy tradition and heritage that we thank him for carrying on even beyond the end of his service." You are one of a kind and will be truly missed by us all. We love you to the moon and back. This is not goodbye this is until we see you again.

In lieu of flowers the family ask for donations to First Baptist Church of Byram, Mississippi Food Pantry, 7541 S Siwell Rd Byram, MS 39272