Jefferson R. "J.R." Walker

Jefferson Roy (J.R.) Walker of Pryor, Oklahoma left his earthly body peacefully, on January 23, 2021 in Claremore Oklahoma. J.R. Walker was born on February 15th, 1932. He was born on the farm near Salina in an area known as Boatman, OK. He was born to parents Charley Forrest Walker and Elsie Inez Walker (Cain). At the time of his birth, he was welcomed by his 2-year-old sister Darlena Mae Walker. J.R.’s childhood was that of a very rural upbringing. As a young child J.R. contracted pneumonia, at a time long before antibiotics were available to the public. He shared that he laid on the front porch for well over a month and that at many times he was certain he would die. However, the Lord and life had much bigger plans for him. J.R. Walker was phenom of physical strength and endurance and had uniquely large and strong hands. Even at a young age, J.R. was quite well traveled because many of his parent’s relatives were spread out on small farms across the central, south, west, and northwestern US. On multiple occasions even as child, he would travel as a migrant worker to assist relatives in harvesting, apples, cherries, peaches, watermelons, and cotton. J.R. was a natural mechanical genius and would also often assist his relatives in traveling to see one another as a driver/ navigator / mechanic along the way to ensure they made the trip safely. The Walker family’s life of rural subsistence farming was changed in 1946 because of WWII and the completion of the OOW (Oklahoma Ordinance Works) or more commonly known as the “powder plant” in Pryor (Mayes County). J.R.’s Mother Elsie went to work full time for the OOW /powder plant. J.R.’s father Charley was a farmer and cattleman and later went to work in the lead mines of Picher and eventually became and retired as a barber in Pryor, OK. J.R.’s time on the family farm was limited too, as in 1949, J.R. joined the National Guard. He told us he joined for some extra money and in hopes of some adventure. In 1950, he got his wish, as he was called to active duty due to the Korean Conflict. He entered the US army in the 45th infantry division with a specialty as a cook. Before he could finish high school, he was sent to basic training at Camp Lejeune, LA. From there they were sent to active duty via Naval ship through the Panama Canal to Japan. On the 31st of March 1952 J.R. was critically wounded in North Korea while he and members of his company were scouting a ridgeline to setup a new forward operating camp. J.R. was awarded a purple heart, because of injuries sustained in battle. He also received awards for his marksmanship ability He was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Sargent, in 1952. Upon his return to Pryor from the War he still had to finish High School and in his senior year he was elected homecoming king, he had also been a standout football player for Pryor High School. J.R. officially graduated high school in 1952. In January 1953 J.R. married his very beautiful girlfriend and longtime family friend Laura Joann Walker. At the very end of December 1953, they welcomed their first son Jeffrey Dean Walker. After high school J.R. then went on to NEO A&M for a vocational program in plumbing, heating, and refrigeration. He graduated with an associate degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in 1955. He next successfully pursued a refrigeration certificate from Okmulgee Tech and in 1955 he went into partnership with his father-in-law, Lee Morgan in the Morgan Plumbing and Appliance business in Pryor, OK. Two years later, in 1957 J.R. and Laura welcomed their 2nd and final son Michael (David) Walker. Somewhere in the process of having children, working, and going to school JR also found time to personally build the family home in Pryor. After spending several years in the family business J.R. decided to take a different career path and pursued an education with Spartan School of Aeronautics, in Tulsa, OK. J.R. graduated from Spartan in 1968 and received his Federal Airman Certificate as an Airframe and Powerplant technician. J.R. went on to seek employment with multiple fixed base aircraft operators to support oil field exploration and oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next 24 years He worked for Wolfe’s Aero Services, Petroleum Helicopters Inc., and ERA of aviation. J.R. had friends all over Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, and especially Louisiana. J.R. had quite the adventures with his job, both during and off-work hours. The 1960’s to 1990’s was the prime development period of air travel, especially the for the helicopter. As a result, there were a lot of close calls and accidents along the way. Couple that with the fact that most of the pilots of this time were Korea / Vietnam war-era cowboys, it goes without saying that J.R. and his buddies had some fun in the gulf during those 24 years. When they had downtime there was plenty of time spent fishing in the gulf or coastal waters and inland swamps. In 1960, with the money he saved from his time in the Service, J.R. went together with his father Charley and purchased 80 acres of land near Strang, OK, on the Hudson River (at the time). J.R. and Charley went on to plant close to 1500 pecan trees on this property. The trees were planted from seed, by hand and close to 1000 of these trees made it to maturity. Elsie and Charley ran cattle on the farm and bailed hay until the early 1980’s. The pecan trees began producing nuts in earnest in the 70’s and 80’s and J.R. was able to work the farm more successfully in the 1980’s and 1990’s. J.R. and Charley purchased the land with intent of raising cattle and planting pecans but they probably never envisioned that it would be a proving ground for kids, grandkids and great grandkids to develop and learn the fundamental and basics of mechanical knowledge. This knowledge would create and fuel lifetimes of passion that would eventually be catapulted to far reaches of the world, influencing countless other lives as well as major companies like Amoco, British Petroleum, Motorola, Ditch Witch and Caterpillar. Just like the pecan trees he and his father planted, it all started with a vision and some seeds. In 1992 at the age of 60, J.R. was forced retired as an A&P Technician due to federal regulations on aircraft mechanic’s age. It was at that time that he enveloped his true calling of a full-time pecan farmer and more importantly a grandpa. For the last 10 years J.R. spent his time slowing life’s pace down and focusing on spending time with his kids and grandkids, tending to the day to day needs of the house / property, cutting firewood, keeping the fireplace stoked all winter, pending time with and supporting his wife Laura. He remained very physically active, however like all things he began to recognize his mind and body were wearing out. One thing that was always certain with J.R. was that when you needed help, no matter the task, he would be there, out-working everyone else. When you would encounter an issue that you or others could not solve, you could always be certain that J.R. could fix it. He was very engaged with his sons David and Jeffrey as well as his grandchildren. He helped them build and repair everything from custom vehicles to custom bicycles, to building houses. J.R. also supported his wife Laura in all her life ambitions as well, from bearing two children to obtaining her PhD from The University of Texas and teaching at several Universities, eventually becoming a Dean at an Oklahoma College. J.R. was classified as a disabled war veteran and the injuries he sustained from the Korean War caused him to have issues with his leg. As a result, a bad fall in 2020 ultimately led to the progression of his death. In the past year he overcame a broken leg and major surgeries, multiple bouts of pneumonia and recovered from the COVID-19 Virus (in less than a week). On February 14, of 2021, J.R. would have turned 89. J.R. was preceded in death by his parents Elsie Walker (Mother, 1984), Charley Walker (Father, 1986) and Darlena Ferrell (Sister, 2001). J.R. is survived by his loving wife Laura Walker (Pryor, OK) and their two sons J.D. Walker and wife Portia Walker (Tulsa, OK) and David Walker and wife Veronica Walker (Liberty Hill, TX). J.R. is survived by 6 grandchildren; Forrest Walker (Edmond OK), Brooke Walker (Makawao, Maui, HI) Amelia Gardner (Gilbert, AZ), Elizabeth Walker (Liberty Hill, TX) Michael Walker (Austin, TX) and Benjamin Walker (Boise, ID) J.R. is survived by 10 great grandchildren: Nash Walker, Samuel Walker, James Walker, Harold Walker and Charlie Walker (Edmond, OK). Kameron Garner, Kaden Garner, Kyler Gardner and Claire Gardner (Gilbert, AZ). And Finally, his most recent great grandson, Maverick Matahi d’Antin-Walker of Makawao, Maui,HI. J.R. taught us that a simple man, a humble man, and an honest man can be a great man. He taught us that true wealth transcends materialistic and physical means. He taught us life is about getting out and living. He taught us that technicians are the most-fun people to be around. He taught us being selfless, taking risks, and accepting opportunities makes for a fulfilling life. He taught us that developing good people skills, social skills and relationships are just as important technical ability. He taught us that true love has no boundaries. He taught us to always keep moving (hopefully forward) and most importantly, he taught us that hard work will always pay off. J.R., Thank for all you have given us. After 89 years of hard use your beyond well worn-out earthly body deserves a long rest. It is our turn to carry the torch now. You have proven that it is not that only good people who die young, but rather, it’s the best people who are young until they die. You had a positive and diverse impact on so many lives and that is a true meaning of success and legacy we should all be so fortunate to endure. Aloha Nui Loa Grandpa J.R., A HUI HO!