Joe Ronald Walker

Funeral services for Joe Ronald Walker, 93, of Avinger, are scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home, 5000 West Harrison Road, Longview, Texas with Pastor Seth Buckner officiating. A time of visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. preceding the services.

Joe Ronald Walker was born in Marshall, Texas on August 29, 1930 to Louise Nielson Walker and Raymond Walker. He grew up in Marshall, Longview, and Santa Monica, California and was mostly raised by his grandmother, Mama Bell. He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1948 and, in 1950, was drafted at the age of 20 years old. He served in the Army for 2 years during the Korean War.

After his tour of duty was finished, he returned to Longview to apprentice for his father as a movie projectionist. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Loretta Salsbury (Walker) while working at the Colonial Drive-In theater in White Oak, Texas. She had been hired to work at the concession stand. They were married on August 2, 1956, in Center, Texas. Two years later, they were blessed with their precious son, Steve.

In 1955, Joe joined the newly formed United States Air Force and served 18 years in many locations including Mississippi, New Mexico, Alabama, Tripoli, Hawaii, Labrador, and Alaska. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he had achieved the rank of E7, Master Seargent, in communications, with a total number of 20 years in the military. He was fiercely patriotic, supportive of the military, and very proud of his service, especially of his time in the Korean War.

His post- military retirement career began at Shell Oil in Houston as a chemical operator, and, from which he retired after 18 years. He and Loretta wanted to move back to East Texas, so they bought property, and built a home. They enjoyed good times with friends, traveling, and spoiling all their fur and feather “babies” in Eagle Landing, just outside of Avinger, Texas, as well as being active in First Baptist Church Avinger.

Joe Walker was a “fix it” man, always disassembling something in order to rebuild and “improve” it. He would either wear his overalls or suspenders, along with his favorite Korean War veteran hat. Anytime he was asked how he was doing, his reply was “I’m fat, dumb, and happy and 2 outta 3 ain’t bad!”, then he would give a large laugh at himself. Next, He would point his finger and say emphatically “We don’t laugh enough!”

Joe Ronald Walker was preceded in death by his parents, his grandmother, an infant daughter, Brenda Jo Walker, and several beloved pets. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Loretta Walker, son Steve Walker and wife Peggy of Jefferson, grandsons Simon Walker and wife Shannon of Phoenix, Arizona, Kyle Walker and wife Christine of Phoenix, Arizona, and niece Debra Wheeler.