Donald Hamilton Walker

Donald Hamilton Walker was born to Alvin and Helen (Freeman) Walker on December 10, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana. When Donald was three years old his parents divorced and the family moved from New Orleans, Louisiana to San Francisco, California. Nebosia Bobwalt Freeman married Helen when Donald was thirteen years old, and from that union, Donald's family expanded with two brothers, Nebosia Freeman Sr., and the late Tony Freeman, and two sisters, Norma Jean Wren, and the late Judy Freeman. The Freemans later welcomed Donald’s brother Nebosia "Rocky" Freeman and sister, Nesbee “Cooky” Freeman. They were a happy family.

Art was a lifelong passion of Donald’s. At an early age, he loved to draw. He drew cartoon characters, family, friends, and objects of interest. He would later hone his craft and focus primarily on representational portrait painting. Throughout the years, his artwork has been featured in many exhibitions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and Houston Metropolitan Area, Texas. His paintings have been found in homes and businesses across the country and internationally.

After graduating from Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California, Donald enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years, two of which were spent in Alaska. Shortly after his honorable discharge, he met and fell in love with Norvell Deloney. They were married for 54 years in marital bliss. From the union was born a daughter, Kanika Walker Middleton. Donald later welcomed and became a proud grandfather to Toni Garrison.

Donald earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Art from Merritt College in Oakland, California, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from California State University in Hayward, California. Donald was a Probation Officer and an Administrator for the Alameda County Probation Department in Oakland, California. He was well respected and received among his colleagues, staff, and clients. Over the years, Donald helped many coworkers to develop and advance in the department.

While working in probation, Donald watched the increasing numbers of African American boys from his community go to prison and return more violent. He saw a need for African American boys to receive mentoring from African American men. Donald volunteered, mentored, and served as a board member of Simba, Inc. in Oakland, California. This nonprofit organization offered personal and business skills training to inner-city African American men in exchange for a commitment of twelve years to mentor African American boys from age six to eighteen. Donald was involved with Simba, Inc., from its inception to his retirement and relocation to Texas.

In 2004, Donald moved to Sugar Land, Texas with Norvell, and his mother-in-law, Leola Huey, to be close to Kanika and Toni. He thoroughly enjoyed retirement. Some of his activities were gardening, traveling, painting, and listening to jazz and R&B music. He was an active member of the Visual Arts Alliance in Houston, Texas. Donald was also a proud member of the African American Corvette Car Club, where he held office and formed many friendships among the members. As a member of The Fort Bend Church in Sugar Land, Texas, Donald enjoyed singing in the male chorus.

Donald is survived by his wife, Norvell Walker, daughter, Kanika Walker Middleton, son-in-law James “Jim” Middleton, granddaughter, Toni Garrison, mother-in-law, Leola Huey, sisters, Norma Jean Wren and Nesbee Freeman, brothers, Nebosia Freeman, Sr., and Nebosia “Rocky” Freeman, as well as a host of close and extended family and friends.