Delbert Walker

Delbert Walker, age 79, of Grapeland passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 in Palestine. He was born January 16, 1938 in Delhi, Louisiana to parents, Henry and Ina Walker. He worked on the family farm until he moved at age 17 to Baytown. There he worked in construction and soon met the love of his life, JoAnn Wright. They were married March 21, 1958 and then started a family. While attending barber school, Delbert worked as a paid fireman in La Porte. After graduating, he opened Walker’s Barber Shop in Seabrook becoming the barber to many of the early astronauts, including John Glenn. For twelve years, Delbert continued cutting hair and during this time he started Walker’s Dump Trucks and Walker Sand, operating both out of his barber shop, where if you got your hair cut, you probably left with a load of sand. Eventually Walker’s Sand and the trucking company became a full time job, so he sold the barber shop.

After several years of hard work and success in the sand business, Delbert and JoAnn were able to purchase the first part of their ranch in East Texas, as well as beginning to raise cattle. Soon Grapeland became their home and they continued expanding the D-J Ranch to the point it is today.

Throughout Delbert’s life he actively served in many civic roles, some but not limited to: charter member and fire chief of Lomax, TX, life member for 37 years with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, City of La Porte City council position 1, longtime member of Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Herd #7964, and charter member and past president of the La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo.

After moving to Grapeland, he continued in public service as a member of the Lion’s Club and a member of the Chamber of Commerce also being awarded Grapeland Citizen of the Year. Later in life, he bought the Grapeland Co-Op and from there Grapeland Farm and Ranch was born.

He was lifelong member of the Church of Christ and attended the Broadway Church of Christ in La Porte then later the South Loop Church of Christ in Crockett.

Of all of Delbert’s accomplishments throughout his life, his most treasured and his pride and joy was his family.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Walker of Grapeland; son, Keith Walker and wife, Kim of Dayton; daughter, Rita Walker Spitzenberger and husband, Greg of Corpus Christi; grandson, T.J. Walker and wife, Melanie of La Porte: granddaughters, Melissa Walker Stringer of Dayton and Stephanie Spitzenberger Ware and husband, Gerren of Corpus Christi; great-grandchildren, Colton, Emma, Brasen, Kyle, Jett, Ellie, Wesson and Hayden; brothers, Tommy Walker and wife, Karen and James W. Walker and wife, Betty; sisters, Patsy Welch, Mary Patty, Lucille Walker, Lindy Hill and husband, Floyd, and Joyce Buchan and husband, Billy; and a host of friends from across the great state of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ina Walker; sisters, Jakie Sikes, Polly Nivins, and Peggy Taylor.

Funeral services for Delbert Walker were held Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 12:00 noon in the South Loop Church of Christ, Crockett, TX. The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday from 10-12 prior to service . Graveside services were held Friday, April 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Grand View Memorial Park, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX

Arrangements were under the direction of Callaway-Allee Funeral Home.