TITLE: In memory of James Darby Walker.

SUMMARY: In memory of James Darby Walker.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close with the passing of James Darby Walker on August 2, 2024, at the age of 57; and WHEREAS, The son of Nayna and JT Walker, Jim Walker was born in Dallas on June 5, 1967; he graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force; following two years of active duty, he transferred to the Texas National Guard in order to complete his bachelor's degree at Midwestern State University; through Education for Democracy, he spent a year teaching English in Slovakia, where he met his future wife, Andrea; while earning a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin, he began working in the mortgage industry, and in 1998, he founded his own company, Counselors Mortgage; as the Austin-based business grew, his wife left the corporate world to partner with him, and their complementary skills and expertise brought further success; and WHEREAS, The Walkers were blessed with two children, Lance and Luke, and Mr. Walker guided them in Boy Scouts and coached them on the Regents Knights lacrosse team; in addition, he helped direct traffic for school arrivals as a longtime member of the Regents Dads Curb Service; he loved to cheer on his sons at all their sporting events, concerts, and plays; a man of faith, he attended Bible study regularly and led the financial services ministry at First Evangelical Free Church; he was a source of wisdom to many, and he had a gift for connecting people who could potentially benefit from knowing one another and for finding jobs and opportunities for those seeking advancement; his numerous interests included golf, chess, politics, and occasionally poker, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family; and WHEREAS, Although Jim Walker is deeply missed by those he has left behind, they will forever treasure their memories of his enthusiasm, kindness, keen wit, and sense of fun; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Darby Walker and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Andrea Walker; to his sons, Lance and Luke Walker; to his mother, Nayna Walker; to his siblings, Ann Walker, Jeanne Oden, Katy McAteer, Gayle Pierce, and George McAteer; and to his many other relatives and 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 Jim Walker. Meyer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 534 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 31, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House