Thomas L. Walker - Obituary

Major Thomas "Tommy" L. Walker, U.S. Army (Ret.) passed away at his home on Thursday, May 9, 2024. He was born in Gary, IN, May 11, 1957 and was preceded in death by his parents and was the youngest son of Lieutenant Colonel William "Bill" W. Walker, III, U.S. Army, (Ret.) and Willa Ann "Billye" (née Robinson) Walker. Tommy and his brother, were part of a military family who moved frequently throughout their father's military service that included Ulm, Germany; Fort Riley, KS; Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), GA.; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), NC; and Alexandria, VA.

After graduating from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, VA, in 1975, Tommy attended Hampton Institute (University). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in finance and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Finance Corps through ROTC. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology.

Tommy's military service included military schooling and duty stations at Fort Harrison, IN; Brussels, Belgium; Heidelberg, Germany; Warren, MI; Fort Riley, KS; and assignments in the United States Army Military District of Washington. His military awards included a Bronze Star for service in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

After retirement from active duty in 1996, Tommy worked in the family business, Logistics Applications, Inc., and later pursued a career in business development. He loved teaching and was an adjunct professor for more than 30 years at the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Tommy was initiated in the Beta Chi (BX) Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Hampton University. He was an active and proud life member, including the Eastern Province and Alexandria-Fairfax Alumni Chapter where he served as their 15th Polemarch (president). Tommy gave his time and talents to organizations that had a philanthropic and service focus. He was a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Boulé), a connecting link of The Links, Incorporated, a member of The ROCKS Inc., The Baggers, and Birdies & Bogeys golf groups.

Tommy's love of golf was unmatched, and he could be found on the golf course at every opportunity. Starting out as a caddy when he was a youngster, he learned and practiced the sport, worked hard to perfect his swing, and was proud of his low handicap. He introduced golf to many friends and family members and strongly encouraged his wife, sons, daughter, and granddaughters to learn to play. Tommy enjoyed traveling to golf courses across the U.S. and loved golf outings with friends.

Cycling was also one of Tommy's beloved activities, and he participated in many long-distance cycling events, including century rides (100 miles). He worked hard organizing group participation in fundraising cycling events such as the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association.

Tommy loved his family most of all. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, proudly attending their clubs, school events, scouts, sports, plays, and parties. He communicated with his extended family members regularly, and a day did not pass without a call or text message to his children and grandchildren. Tommy and Suzanne, his wife of 27 years, enjoyed attending concerts, plays, dances, banquets, and so many events together. At the family's annual summer beach vacation, Tommy was the life of the party and coordinator of the many fun things the entire family enjoyed together. Tommy appreciated every moment of life and was always happy, kind, positive, helpful, and hopeful every single day.

Tommy was a faithful Christian, and he was a devoted attendee at Fort Belvoir Chapel for nearly 30 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne Walker, U.S. Army (Ret.); and their son, Malachi J. Walker (Jordan Dudley Walker); his two children from his first marriage to Barbara Aikens Walker: Thomas L. Walker II (Cindy Najhram Walker) and Brittney L. Walker (Rob Blanchard); grandchildren, Kennedy, Riley, and Willa; brother, William W. "Wes" Walker, IV (Pamela L. Walker); a dear aunt, Barbara R. "Bobbie" Blackmon of Gary, IN.; sister-in-law, Nancy Walker-Hunter (Byron Hunter); and nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.

The family appreciates expressions of sympathy made in memory of Thomas L. Walker to the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund.

There will be a visitation for guests and organizational memorial tributes on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22515, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Fort Belvoir Chapel, 5950 12th St., Ft Belvoir, VA. Visitation from 10 to 11a.m. and the service begins at 11 a.m. Please allow additional time for visitors without base access credentials to enter Ft. Belvoir at the Leiber Gate.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from May 23 to May 26, 2024.