Thomas Edmund “Tom” Walker of La Grange, Texas left this world to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, July 1, 2022. He was 88 years, 10 months and 20 days old.
Tom was born in Kalona, Iowa on August 11, 1933 to Herman Leslie “Chet” Walker and Catherine (Friese) Walker. Tom attended Holy Trinity Catholic Grade School in Richmond, IA—a few miles south of Kalona, IA. He graduated from Kalona High School where he had met the love of his life, Marilyn Allensworth.
His collegiate life began at Notre Dame for one year. He then completed his education at Iowa State Teacher’s College (now The University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, IA. Tom and Marilyn were married August 14, 1954. His first coaching assignment was in Shenandoah, IA., soon becoming their Head Coach. He obtained his Master’s Degree at the University of Iowa during that time, thus completing his schooling. In 1963, Tom and Marilyn moved to El Paso, TX where Tom coached at Bowie High School. The Walkers then moved to Corpus Christi, TX in 1966 where he became an assistant coach at Richard King High School. In 1969, Tom got his first head coaching job in Texas at Del Valle, just outside Austin, TX. He remained there until he became the Head Coach in Schulenburg, TX. The next stop for Tom was in 1983 when he accepted an assistant coaching position at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, TX, and he moved his family to New Braunfels, TX. In 1990, his job shifted to Kitty Hawk Middle School in Judson ISD, San Antonio, TX. He became the Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach and served in that capacity for 23 years. 2013 found Tom in Columbus, TX, where he ended his 61-year career. A plaque hanging in the “Tom Walker Gymnasium” at Kitty Hawk reads, “’Teachers inspire dreams, shape lives and give us hope for the future.’ You have been an inspiration to us all.” Farewell Coach—
Tom was a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels, TX, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange, TX, and was active in Knights of Columbus and other ministries in both of those churches.
He is survived by daughters, Theresa “Terri” Wagner (William “Bill”), Jolene Byrd (Marshall), both of La Grange, TX, Renee Walker of San Antonio, TX; and by his two sons, Douglas “Doug” Walker (Mary Sue), of Corpus Christi, TX; and Kevin Walker of Buda, TX. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Coach Walker was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn; his parents; his wife’s parents, Wynn and Ethel Allensworth; two sisters; Margaret Brenneman; and Francis Kelley; a brother, Patrick Walker; five brothers-in-law; and two sisters-in-law.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from noon to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, La Grange. Family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Rosary began at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass was set at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, with entombment at 3 p.m. that same day in the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in New Braunfels.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shorthorns Forever Association (www.shorthornsforever.com/donate); Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box 548, La Grange, TX 78945; Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 386 N. Castell, New Braunfels, TX 78130; Knights of Columbus Chromcik Council #2574 La Grange, TX 78945; Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, TX 78945; or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig - Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.