TITLE: In memory of Delbert Walker of Grapeland.

SUMMARY: In memory of Delbert Walker of Grapeland.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their memories of Delbert Walker of Grapeland, who passed away on April 24, 2017, at the age of 79; and WHEREAS, Delbert Walker was born in Delhi, Louisiana, on January 16, 1938, to Henry and Ina Walker; at the age of 17, he left his family's farm and moved to Baytown; it was there that he met JoAnn Wright, whom he married in 1958; the couple shared their lives for nearly six decades, and they were blessed with two children, Keith and Rita; their family later grew to include three grandchildren, T. J. Walker, Melissa Stringer, and Stephanie Ware, and eight great-grandchildren, Colton, Emma, Brasen, Kyle, Jett, Ellie, Wesson, and Hayden; and WHEREAS, Early in his working life, Mr. Walker owned a barbershop in Seabrook, where his clients included John Glenn and many of NASA's early astronauts who were training nearby; subsequently, Mr. Walker owned a successful trucking company and raised cattle on the D-J Ranch in East Texas, and after settling in Grapeland, he purchased the Grapeland Co-Op, which became the Grapeland Farm and Ranch feed store; and WHEREAS, Mr. Walker was a charter member and fire chief of the fire department in Lomax, and he served on the La Porte city council; in Grapeland, he was an active member of the Lions Club and the chamber of commerce, which named him as Citizen of the Year; he was also a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a member of Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Herd No. 7964, and a charter member and president of the La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo; a man of strong religious faith, he attended the Broadway Church of Christ in La Porte and the South Loop Church of Christ in Crockett; and WHEREAS, A devoted family man and a dedicated civic leader, Delbert Walker lived a rich and purposeful life, and he will forever be remembered with admiration and affection by all who held him close to their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Delbert Walker and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Delbert Walker. Ashby Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2057 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House