Ray Junior Walker

Ray J. Walker was ushered into the world by God on July 8, 1937 and he crossed the finishing line of life on April 23, 2013 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Ontario, California. He is the second oldest child of Willie Mae Clark Taylor. Ray J. grew up in a paper mill town with his dearly beloved mother, grandmother, sisters, and brothers.

Upon graduating in 1956 from Central Memorial High School in Louisiana, he joined the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. Later he attended Riverside City College where he received an Associate of Arts Degree and California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Because of his background in Criminal Justice, he became a guest instructor at Riverside City College.

Ray J. married his high school sweetheart, Joan Bennett Cyrus and was married for forty-seven years prior to her death on December 30, 2003. Two children were born to this union, Dwain Todd and Sabrina Hope. Ray J. married Barbara Grove on March 1, 2006.

Wherever Ray J. and his family resided, they reunited with a church and worked as servants in God’s vineyard. The Holy Spirit led them to Second Baptist Church in Paso Robles, California; Greater Faith Church in Stockton, California, and Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, Riverside, California.

Ray J. was briefly employed by California Department of Youth Authority before being hired by California Department of Corrections. During his tenure with the Department of Corrections, he worked in many capacities at several penal institutions. Due to hard work, good leadership skills, intellect, dedication and tenacity he promoted to the following classifications: Correctional Sergeant, Lieutenant, Counselor I, II & III, Program Administrator, Associate Warden and Chief Deputy Warden. After thirty-two years of state service, he retired in 1991 to enjoy his “golden” years. However, he discovered that he had plenty of energy and so he went to work for Juvenile Hall in San Bernardino, California.

Ray J. lived well and laughed often by the grace of God. Life’s journey has taken him from labor to reward and in the presence of God.

Ray J. was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Bennett Cyrus Walker, daughter, Sabrina Hope Walker Jamerson; mother, Willie Mae Clark Taylor; and grandmother, Henrietta Dyson.

He leaves to mourn his earthly departure a wife, Barbara Grove Walker, a devoted son, Dwain Todd Walker; two sisters—Mildred Thorpe of Illinois and Delores Berry (Charles) of Maryland; five brothers—General “Flappy” Clark (Ada) of California, James Earl Taylor (Sharon) of California; Leonard, Freddie, and Rufus Clark of Maryland; God daughter, Cyrian Reed; three step daughters, Kristine Jones, Greta Grove, Laurie St. Louis and two step sons, Noel Grove and Kurtis Grove of California; favorite cousins, Inez Evans and Marie Ingram of California; two sisters-in-law Blondine Robertson of California and Oreda Dickerson of New Jersey; a special brother and sister James and Dorothy Ward of California; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended friends.

A celebration of life is scheduled on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at eleven o’clock in the morning at Acheson and Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary with Interment at Olivewood Memorial Park, both services in Riverside, California.