of Little Rock, AR
March 4, 1934 - December 20, 2014
Coach Joe C. Walker, Jr., age 80, a life long resident of Pulaski County, died on December 20, 2014. He was born on March 4, 1934 at Dr. Junkin's Hospital on the old Sweet Home Cut-Off to the late Joe C. Walker, Sr. and Lucille Newman Walker. He was a 1952 graduate of Fuller High School.
Joe graduated from Henderson State Teachers College on the G.I. Bill after serving during the Korean Conflict as an Army Paratrooper. He received his Masters and Administration Degrees in Education from UCA. Joe was a retired coach and administrator with the Pulaski County Special School District for thirty years. He attended Fellowship Reformed Baptist Church in Glenwood.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Walker Singley; and one step-son, Chris Cole.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Walker; sons, Joseph (Doak) Walker III and William Duke Walker and wife Becca; daughter, O'Shea Walker Siler and husband Randy; two step-sons, Troy Cole and wife Teddi, and David Cole. Coach Walker is also survived by nine grandchildren: Tyler Lilley, J. Cullen Walker IV, Katie and Hannah Walker, Sarah and Will Cole, Brady, Annie and William Chapman.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M., Monday, December 22, 2014 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209, (501) 455-5800. Funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M., Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at Primrose United Methodist Church on Dixon Road in Pulaski County by Pastors Kevin Smead and Curtis Thomas. The burial will follow at Primrose Cemetery.
A special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center on Bowman Road.
Memorial may be made to Primrose Cemetery Fund, 3006 W. Dixon Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72206.
To Doak and the rest of the Walker family,
I am truly sorry to read of the passing of your father; he was a fine coach, educator, and man, and I know he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. My dad, a longtime high school football and basketball coach himself before entering the field of guidance and counseling, really enjoyed his friendship with Coach Walker during the many years they worked together at Cloverdale Jr. High School. My mother also thought very, very highly of Coach Walker.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Tommy Mohundro
the first time I met "Coach" I thought I had joined the army! Put anything past coach was like trying to walk through a brick wall. "Sorrells I aint buying it" He taught me respect and my best day was on my last day at Cloverdale when he said " Tiger, I'm proud of you" Doak, Duke, Shea your father was. A good man whom I know will be missed. My condolences to you and your family. Sincerely
Dear Shea and the rest of the family of a very special person...Coach Joe Walker. You continue to be in my thoughts and in my prayers. When I learned of his death, so many pleasant memories came to mind. As a student at Cloverdale Jr High, David had so much respect and admiration for Coach Walker as his 7th grade football coach and then as his vice-principal in 8th and 9th grades. But at all times, he was always "Coach Walker". His name was like a household word at our house!!!
To the family, I am sorry my comments and condolences are coming so late. I just heard the news. I pray for your strength as you adjust to the loss of such a positive Christian influence for each of you. I will always remember Joe's open honesty in his dealings with people. He was an inspiration for me and many others in this life,
Chick Abraham
Kathy,
You and your family are in our prayers. Sending our sincere condolences to my dearest friend and your family.
Love - Dyan Watson, Tammy David & Cindy Reed
I will always remember and miss Joe. He hired me at Fuller High and It was my honor to coach for him. He was one of my mentors. I learned a lot about coaching, teaching and life from Coach. The coaching and teaching days are gone forever, but some of the lessons in life I learned from him will remain for the rest of my life. God bless his family. 88 and out the gate Coach.
I'm so sorry I didn't hear about Joe till after the service. We didn't get to spend much time together. So sorry for your loss.
Coach Walker was the first of so many positive influences that shaped my young life at Fuller High School. The lessons I learned from him have been with me until this day.
To the Family there is always sadness at the loss of a loved one but to know that he is with the Master for eternity will ease the pain of the loss.
When you look through the comments you can see how many lives were touched by Coach Walker.
Goodbye Coach, my mentor and friend.
My family lived next door to the Walker family in the 1970's and 80's. Coach Walker was a blessing and a mentor to those around him! Praying for all of the Walker family- especially Doak, Duke, Shea and Kathy. God Bless You!
.'The little girl who lives inside of me is left breathless and crying .Doak was my Boy Next Door who I loved for so many years and I will gieive with him, Duke, and O"Shea for all our remaining times. I Love you Doak and your Daddy also .May God Be With You All.
Joe, I'll miss you a lot my friend. Rest in peace forever. Ray
Coach Walker was a one of a kind individual.
His kindness to one and all was a treasure.
We enjoyed being around him at McClellan High School.
God Bless him and his family at this time.
Sorry to learn of Coach Walkers' passing. He was one of a kind. Once you meet him, you will never forget him. I met Coach Walker at Fuller Jr. Hi. He was a man that comanded respect and he got it. You did not want to get on coache's bad side. I worked briefly at the PCSSD Transportation when he and Mr. Bass were in charge there. Glad to have been able to work with him there. I was at the last Fuller Reunion and was so glad I was able to see Coach and shake his hand again. Love you Coach Walker and Condolences to your family. Also, after learning of his service, my respect and honor for him is even greater. May God Bless and keep his family in his loving arms.
Joe my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I will always remember the fun years we had working together at Cloverdale Jr. High.
Thanks for being a good friend and mentor.
Terry Garner
Professor Joe you remained at your post in a most admirable way. God's blessings be upon Kathy at this time. I shall see you in THE morning!
"Doctor" Olmstead
I was so lucky to have lived across the street from Coach Walker. He did so many kind things to help me thru a troubled time in my life. As a young boy of 12, he gave me reassurance, confidence ( which I needed), and was just so good to me. I was terrible at basketball, but coach would in private, show me some tips to improve, my hoops game. He also gave me my nickname, Kid Savage Boy of Bronze, just to give me some confidence, and make me feel better about myself. These are just 2 wonderful things Coach did for me, there are many many more. I was lucky to have moved in across the street from this truly GREAT man. Thanks Coach Walker for being such a wonderful man and helping me.
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that Coach is in a wonderful place now. We love you guys!
He was my first coach in jr. High at Cloverdale.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family .
Our Deepest Sympathy to the family of Joe Walker, He Was A Good Man, and A Great Coach, And A True Friend.
My sincere condolences to Doak, Duke and O'Shea on the passing of Joe. He was a wonderful friend and colleague over the years. He will be missed tremendously.
Remembering the ball games and good times we had. Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of Coach Walker's passing. I played football for him at Cabot and he was a great coach and even greater man. I have lots of wonderful memories of him. That kind of person is hard to let go but knowing we will see him again one day makes it a little easier. May God grant his family the comfort and peace they need during this difficult time. R.I.P. Coach.
My deepest sympathy for Joe's family. He was a lifelong friend. I will miss our yearly visit in September, and his wry wit.
Coach I'm glad you made it home but I'm sorry for all of you that he left behind. A good and godly man that I was proud to call friend and brother in Christ. May God in His infinite mercy be with and comfort each of you until you see him again.
So sorry to here about the loss of a great man. Carol and I will be praying for the family.
Saddened to hear the news about Coach Walker. He left a lasting and positive impression upon me and it was a real honor to play for him and with Duke. I can't imagine that anyone that knew him ever forgot about him despite the number of years that may have gone by. From the entire Smith family (Mom (Shirley) and Stan and myself and our wives), our prayers and thoughts will be with the family.
GO REST ON HIGH COACH. I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. GOD BE WITH THE FAMILY.
My heart goes out to the Walker family, especially to Doak and Duke. Coach Walker will be greatly missed.
Our Thoughts and prayers are with the Walker Family. Karen Beall May and Jim Beall
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Walker family as they celebrate the life of this great man...
Coach Walker was a man greatly respected and admired by his family, peers and students. Some players at Cloverdale even feared him on the football field with good reason. Even his son Duke once said, 'My Dad could have been another 'Bear Bryant.'
I count it an honor to have known him, and also appreciate the 'whoopin' he gave me in 7th grade for smoking.
God Bless You Coach... we will see you soon on the other shore~
There are a few men that help form a young boy into a man. Coach Walker was one of those influences in my life. I know that he is enjoying his faith made sight in the presence of our awesome KIng.
RIP Coach 88
So sorry for your loss. It is never a good time to grieve but especially during the holidays. My prayers & heart will be with your family as you say your goodbyes & lay Coach Walker to rest.
I'm saddened for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts.
K
Thoughts and prayers with the family during this time. Coach was a very inspirational person in my life from coaching me to teaching me how to never give up, I will never forget him. Love you coach, Richy Rich.
Coach Walker was a wonderful man. I have so many fond memories of him. Once when I was trying to make a decision in the 9th grade he told me to make two columns and write the pros on one side and the cons on the other and my decision would be made. Sounds simple now but I've always remembered that advice and think of him each time I make a pro and con list! He always took time to make me feel special at a time in my life when I need that.
Thank you for all the contributions and commitments to the students of the Fuller class of 1969. Your family will be in my prayers for peace and comfort during the days ahead.
Prayers for the family.
Condolences to Coach Walkers family. He was a huge influence on my life, and I am sad at his passing.
I had all the respect in the world for this man. he sure touched a lot of lives in a positive way. I will be at the visitation but will be out of town for the services.
To the entire Walker family - I was so sad to hear of Coach Walker's passing. Prayers are sent for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Coach Walker was an inspiration to us all. He will always be remembered and thought of in high regards. I remember him from the start of my Cloverdale education. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you.
I am so sorry about Joe. You are, and have been, in my prayers. I know there are really no words, just know how much I care.
Love you,
Marta
Shea I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Coach Walker was my football coach at Cloverdale, but his connection went beyond that. He and my Dad, Dewey Taplin, knew each other from their past. In fact, my Dad told me about the car accident where Coach got burned on his stomach. I of course, being a crazy kid in junior high, had to ask to see his scar one day after practice. Kindly, he pulled up his shirt and showed me and told me the story. I didn't see him after that except for a couple of times when I went on to be a team captain for the 1967 McClellan team. I didn't see him again until April 2010 when my Dad died of complications from stomach cancer surgery, and Coach Walker came to the visitation. I don't remember, nor even knew everyone who came that day, but Coach Walker's presence helped me get through a very difficult time. he was the same warm and caring person I remembered, except now his former player was 59 years old and hurting. He was my first lesson in leadership, and one that stuck with me through high school, college, and a thirty year career in the Army. I wish I could be there to return the comfort he gave me when my Dad, his friend, died. Please accept my heartfelt condolences as well as the knowledge that he touched a generation of his players. He was respected and loved, and will be deeply missed by all of us whom he helped make us what we are today. May God bless and comfort your entire family. Goodbye, Coach Walker. Please say "Hello" to my Dad when you see him. I am sure you two will have a lot to talk about.
Shea, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Dad! Coach Walker will be missed greatly by many! You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers!
Great man coach and motivator
Praying for all your family! May God fill you with His presence and peace that passes all understanding!
Coach, You played a big part in my life. May God be with you.
So sorry to hear about my classmate. He was a great guy. Two of my friends at First Lutheran Church in Little Rock were coached by Joe at McClellan High School. One of them told me that Joe was the best coach he ever had.
It's been a long time Coach Walker, 79, 80 and 1981 at Cloverdale. Those were the good old days, lots of fun memories, and Yes I was sent to your office one day but you were good to me and I will never forget that Sir. My condolences to the Walker family.
Mike from East End, Ark
Our prayers are with your family. Coach was a man's-man who will be missed.
A great coach, teacher!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.
Joe, it was an honor to go through 12 years of school with you. There were 12 of us. Some have gone ahead and the rest are right behind you and know you're in a better place.
To all the family, so sorry to hear about coach. He touched many young men's life and mine was one. Often think of him and how he helps me thru a tough day, thanks coach. 88 and out the gate were sweet words, so coach 88. In our thoughts and prayers. Eddie Smith
So sorry for your loss. God bless and comfort you. Lori
i am so sorry for your loss.
Kathryn ,
So very sad for your loss, but rejoicing for Joe!! What a blessed Christmas he will have. You will be in my prayers.
Carol Bright
Sorry for your loss.My deepest sympathy
Heaven got a great one yesterday. Coach was one of those rare individuals who impacts a young persons life in ways that shape them into a much better adult.
Yes, he was a tremendous football coach but an even better mentor. I am a much better person thanks to having Coach Walker in my life. And I know a lot of others who will say the same.
It is a sad loss but his life deserves to be celebrated. He was one of the best.
My prayers are with him and the family.
.
Prayers for Coach Walker's family and friends. I remember Coach Walker from Cloverdale Jr. High.
Coach Walker touched and influenced the live of so many. He will be missed. Prayers to the Walker family.
I've never known a finer man. He was very influential when I met him in my teenage years and remained a hero and leader par excellence. My deepest sympathy and love to all the family. Doak, Duke and Bat O'Shea were loved and taught well by Big Daddy and Mama Dal, and I pray for God's grace to give everyone strength and endurance. Judy Carol Bertha Mae Baugh Walker Haley
You are surely going to be missed but we have the assurance from Holy Scriptures that we will meet again.Our prayers are being lifted up to the one and only True God for His Mercies and Comfort during this difficult time.
Thinking of you