Thomas “Tom” Randolph Walker, beloved husband of Dr. Cynthia Cantrell Walker, died Wednesday September 27, 2023 at the age of 61. Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, daughters Catherine Cantrell Walker and Dr. Claire Cantrell Walker; son Thomas Randolph Walker, Jr.; granddaughter Shanlee Victoria; parents Dr. and Mrs. William Waldrum Walker; brother William Waldrum Walker, Jr. (Amy); sister Ruth Annette Walker Averette (Allen); nieces Bailey Walker Ray (Thomas), Cody Walker Armstrong(Robert); nephew William Waldrum Walker, III and uncle L.G. Walker, Jr.(Dianne).
He also leaves behind his sister-in-law and brother-in law, Dr. and Mrs. K. Clay Ellis, Jr and mother in law Mrs. Craig Gordon Cantrell; nieces Dr. Cynthia Hill (Mark), Dr. Catherine Haynie (Brant), and Dr. Cantrell Lowe (Jared).
He was preceded in death by grandparents L.G. and Madge Bailey Walker; Joseph Eddie and Bessie Ledbetter Franks; and father in law Dr. Craig Gordon Cantrell.
Tom was born in Tuscaloosa in 1962 and graduated from Central High School in 1980. He received a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Alabama in 1985, where he was top of his class and a proud member of Tau Beta Pi honor society and Theta Chi fraternity. After graduating, he worked for Shell Oil Company in New Orleans as a production engineer, where he met his wife. Tom and Cynthia were both running late to attend First Baptist Church, and sat together during the service. The rest was history. They married in 1988 the same year he received a MBA in Finance from Duke University. He continued his successful career in Chicago as a financial analyst for Amoco Oil Company in charge of the US refining operations. He then became the senior analyst of planning and economics as well as the manager of information technologies for Hunt Refining Company. In 1995, he founded Interactive Multimedia Technologies, Inc. where he designed, developed, and marketed interactive turn-key software kiosk systems for the trade show industry. Tom grew IMT, Inc, into an innovative business progressing from internet cafes to messaging kiosks, product and exhibitor locators, mobile apps, and charging stations. IMT clients include scores of fortune 500 companies such as Bank America, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Abbott Nutrition. IMT provided services to hundreds of trade shows in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America.
Tom was intelligent, methodical, compassionate, and had a gift for humor. He adored his wife and children and found purpose fulfilling their every need. He always said that his goal in life was that his children would know Jesus and he demonstrated selfless love well. He was steady in his faith and a member of Capstone Church.
He enjoyed spending time on Lake Tuscaloosa, cheering for Duke basketball and Alabama football. He was musically gifted and played the piano every day. He adored the family cat Stitches and he was her everything. Tom loved his wife and his family and loved to laugh and make others laugh. His charm will be missed.
Honorary Pallbearers include John Page, John Goodson, Peter Kearney, Adrian Suarez, David Spencer, Dr. Joey Falgout, Dr. Stephen Browne, David Ryan, Tom Stipe, Johnnie Butler, Paul Underwood, Craig Cramer, and Virginia Governor’s Housing Association.
Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 1st, 2023. Visitation will be at 2PM and the ceremony will begin at 3PM at Capstone Church – 4115 Watermelon Road, Northport, AL 35473.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capstone Church in Tom's honor.
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