Jack D. Walker

Jack D. Walker, age 86, of Antioch, Tennessee passed away peacefully at Alvin C. York Medical Center, Monday, June 9, 2014. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 19, 1928 the son of Charles H. Walker & Marie Trouillas Walker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Walker Hall, son, Jack Walker, Jr., Half sister, Mattie Walker Gallaher & Half brother, Charles L. Walker, wife, Ann Maynard Walker, & brother, Jeane M. Walker. Jack grew up in Nashville, TN where he attended Eastland and Bailey schools. He graduated from Columbia Military Academy and then attended Vanderbilt University. He was one of the first groups drafted from Nashville for the Korean War and served with Hq. C 2nd Bn. 8th Cav. FECOM. His overseas assignment was in the Korean Military Advisors Group (KMAG) and with the 1st Calvary Division at Camp Crawford on Japans northern most islands, Hokkaido. Following his discharge, at the end of the war, Jack spent the next twenty years as a Manufacturer's Representative for a New York Women's Apparel firm. At the end of this period, Jack's thoughts and endeavors took on a more Spiritual nature. Jack answered what he believed to be a 'Calling' to serve in a ministry that would better the lives of the community around him. He opened the first Health Food store ever in Nashville, thus becoming a pioneer in this area for that business, owning and operating several stores for the next eighteen years. Upon his retirement, Jack's interests turned to Veterans Affairs and he saw the need to establish a Memorial for Tennessee Veterans who served in the Korean War. He eventually became Chairman of the Tennessee Korean Veterans Association and was instrumental in raising over $222,000 in contributions for the project. The Memorial is located in War Memorial Plaza on the grounds of the State Capitol and was dedicated on July 4, 1992, with Governor Ned Ray McWhirter, Congressman Bob Clement, and other dignitaries present. Next, Jack authored a twenty-eight page booklet, titled, "A Brief Account of the Korean War", which has seen nearly 100,000 copies published and distributed by the Department of Defense. Widely acclaimed, the booklet also has been used as the official text in college history classes on the subject. He wrote a weekly blog, on diverse subjects, which appeared in the Tennessean Community Affairs section, for two years and he was an out spoken contributor of 'Letters to the Editor'. Ever mindful of his Spiritual commitment, he established the web site, http://christianitysconfusion.com which is still maintained today. He was a much sought after public speaker, Bible Study teacher, member of American Legion Post 5 and the VFW, a history buff, Patriot, and remained active in Veterans Affairs. He is survived by sister and brother-in-law, Madge “Maggie” Walker McCray and Tom McCray, Nashville, TN; grandson and his wife, Trace & Debra Elmore, Rossville, GA; 4 great grandchildren; many nephews and nieces. A service with U.S. Army Honors will honor Jack’s life and be held at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 11AM. In honor of Jack’s life the family requests donations are made, “In Memory of Jack Walker” to NeedLink Nashville, C/O Austin & Bell Funeral Home, 2619 Hwy 41 South, Greenbrier, TN 37073. Jack shared this poem at his son's funeral and it is shared again here for him. "Crossing the Bar" BY ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.

Jack D. Walker

May 19, 1928 - June 9, 2014