Charles Darrell Walker

Charles was born February 3, 1950, in Houston, Texas. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in Economics, Charles also studied at the University of Gottingen in Germany, and continued his academic journey as an adult, completing graduate work at the London School of Economics. His career was distinguished and diverse, including roles as a Consular Officer for the United States Consulate in Vienna, Austria, sales and financial management at Tandem Computers and Wells Fargo Bank, and as a Global Account Executive for several technology companies including Sun Microsystems, Vodafone, and Oracle. His exceptional ability to connect with people and innovatively address challenges made him a valued mentor and problem-solver at work. After retiring from Oracle in 2017, Charles worked as an academic tutor for at-risk young men and as a substitute teacher in Tucson, Arizona. Driven by his belief that education could transform lives; he was passionate about nurturing intellectual curiosity as a pathway to fulfillment and happiness.

Charles’ life and legacy are vibrant blend of love, intellect, and adventure. He shared 47 wonderful years of marriage with his wife Carolyn. Together they shared a passion for new places, an appreciation of history, and a love of travel, their motto was “hold hands and jump into the darkness together”. Together, they built a life filled with joy, love, and mutual support. Charles was an amazing and loving father to his two daughters; an experienced mentor and an ever-reliable source of wisdom. Charles's dedication to his family was evident in every facet of his life. His wife, his children and his family were his pride and joy. He was there to help anytime his children (or anyone else) needed him, was forever patient and never judgmental, and he always found a way to help them learn from whatever obstacle they were facing. He took great pleasure in showing his wife and children the world through his extensive travels. He and his wife traveled regularly in their retirement, and especially enjoyed visiting Europe. Charles had a keen interest in learning and a belief that one should never stop growing intellectually. A lifelong reader and passionate wine aficionado, Charles was fluent in three languages and also had a lifelong love for music. He discovered his talent for playing the guitar later in life, adding yet another layer to his multifaceted personality. Charles also had a profound love for nature and the outdoors, often finding solace and peace in the natural world.

Charles was not only the life of the party but also someone who made everyone feel at ease in any crowd. His ability to diffuse tense situations with his warmth and friendliness, and his knack for making people smile were just a few of his many talents. Charles had a remarkable understanding of people and was known for his ability to explain complex concepts in a way that made them accessible to everyone. His open-mindedness and quiet appreciation of the world around him reflected his spiritual and reflective nature, while his refreshingly open-minded sense of humor could make anyone -- seriously, anyone! -- smile.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Carolyn Walker (Thomas); two daughters, Anne Farrell (Walker) of Los Angeles, California, and Katherine Walker of Tucson, Arizona; and his close friends Dr. Douglas Pepin of Woodland, California, Bob and Gloria Kerner of San Ramon, California, Russ and Sheila Kaufman of San Ramon, California; Mike and Firoozah Sadeghi of Danville, California; and Michael Chidester of Tucson, Arizona. Charles was preceded in death by his father, Cloyce “Doke” Walker; his mother, Joyce Walker Morgan (Thibodeaux); his siblings Mark Walker and Darry Ergene (Walker); and his close friend James Bressler.

Services were held September 22, 2023 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tucson, Arizona. Charles now rests peacefully in the Nature Garden at East Lawn Palms Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona. His family and friends will remember him with affection and gratitude for the joy, unconditional love, and wisdom he brought into their lives. His memory will continue to inspire and uplift all who knew him.