George D. Walker

George Douglas Walker was born June 17, 1953 in Hamilton, Alabama to the late Karey and Lucrecy Walker. Although Hamilton is his official birthplace, it was the African-American community of Bexar that George called home and grew up with his brothers, his sister, his cousins and friends. He later moved to San Diego, California and it was there that he met Deborah, his loving wife of 36 years.

Through 8th grade he attended Ada Hanna School, an all Black school that he loved deeply. As a freshman, he attended Hamilton High School when the schools were forced to integrate. He graduated from there in 1971. In high school he was active in 4-H club and received many honors including winning of state wide awards. He then attended the University of Alabama and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1975. He earned a Master's Degree in Counseling at National University in San Diego.

George's entire career was devoted to helping others, especially children. He worked in prisons, psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers. He worked as a District Counselor in several schools in SDUSD. For the last 11 years, he was a Substitute Teacher in Chula Vista Elementary District.

For the last several years, George devoted much of his time to working on making his beloved Ada Hanna School, an historical site. Ada Hanna was one of a number of Black Schools built to educate African American children during segregation. Further, he was instrumental in creating a reunion to celebrate the faculty and students of Ada Hanna.

One of George's greatest joys in life was singing and playing the piano. He started singing in church at a young age. He sang at weddings, funerals, celebrations and was in the Million Dollar Band at U of A. He was in many choirs, but he was most proud of being a member of the first Afro-American choir at the university in 1971. He was an integral part of reuniting members of his choir and they celebrated with a 45th Reunion Concert in 2016.

There is no way to quantify the impact of George's life on this world or the number of lives he touched. But there is no doubt that his influence has been profound.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 36 years, Deborah (Debby) and brother Harrison (Lois) of Hamilton, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon (Madeleine) Chula Vista, CA , sister Marvis (Eddie) of Gary, IN and brother Joe (Fay) of Hamilton, AL. He will forever be adored by a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousin, nieces, nephews and friends.