Tommy Walker

Tommy R. Walker, 81, of Little Rock passed away at his home on December 4, 2022. He was born February 13, 1941 in Summerville, MO. Born to Arthur and Lona Bell Walker, he was the 9th of 10 children.  After losing his hearing at 6 years old, he went to the Missouri School for the Deaf until graduation and then he attended college at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.  He and the love of his life, Margie, would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on December 22, 2022.
Tommy worked at the Arkansas Gazette for 28 years until they closed in 1991.  He decided to make a career change and went to work for MCI, Southwestern Bell, and then Sprint as each company held the Arkansas Relay Services contract.  This chapter of his career spanned eighteen years as he served the deaf and hard of hearing community as the outreach manager for ARS.
Upon retiring, he volunteered at the historical museum at the Arkansas School for the Deaf. He loved his deaf community and was a huge advocate for the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing.  He served on the board and was a member of the Arkansas Association of the Deaf for 45 years.  He was a member as well as a board member of the Little Rock Association of the Deaf and served on the board of directors at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas for the Blind for 10 years.
Tommy loved the Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed deer hunting with his deaf hunting buddies. Most of all, he cherished watching his grandchildren participate in their sporting events.
He is survived by his wife, Margie; two daughters Connie Marendt (Rick) and Carrie Hibbs (Ron); two grandchildren Zach and Lauren whom he absolutely adored, and his beloved Shih-Poo's Seth and Luke; two brothers, Art Walker of Kentucky and Fred Walker of Indiana; numerous nieces and nephews, and Neal and Julie Poe whom Tommy thought of as bonus children.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church-Fellowship Hall in Little Rock at 2pm on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Memorial contributions can be made to Arkansas School for the Deaf Historical Museum
In Memory of Tommy Walker
2400 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Ste B1, Little Rock, AR 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the "Tribute Wall" tab.

www.arkansascremation.com

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