Joel Merwyn Walker

Joel Merwyn Walker left us for what the family knows as a heavenly journey on August 18, 2020. We look forward to seeing him again. He came into this world on September 9, 1928 and he had almost 92 years to inspire his family and friends, whom he encountered throughout his time here with us. He was born in Lufkin, Texas, to his proud parents, Thomas Glea Sr. and Etta Mae Walker. He was preceded in death by his one brother, Thomas Glee Jr., who was 8 years his senior. While growing up, he knew what it meant to work. At an early age, Joel worked with his Dad at Morton's Food in the potato chip industry. During his education, he went on to play football both at Lufkin high school and at the collegiate level at Kilgore Junior College. They called him "Tiny Joe Walker" because he stood at 5'9" and weighed 150 pounds. He was known for his rifle passing arm and speed. He won a Texas State Championship as the quarterback and went on to play in the Rose Bowl in 1948. While at the University of Texas, he excelled and went on to achieve his lifelong occupation as an architect. After graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Architecture, Joel worked, first starting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then moving to Oklahoma City in 1957 to work for the architectural firm Caudill, Rowlett, and Scott. He went on to establish Joel M. Walker Associates Architects and Housing Concepts, which allowed him to provide a wonderful life and a loving home for his family. Joel built many structures you see nationwide and in the great state of Oklahoma. Throughout his life he worked as an architect, developer, contractor and as a real-estate investor to help the people of Oklahoma, providing schools and ultimately affordable housing for the elderly. Joel was known for his quiet nature and was extremely articulate and meticulous about detail. He loved his work and remained fully involved until his death at the age of 91. He was not one for accolades or honors but received many during his lifetime for his work. We are proud of him and all his accomplishments. While we are proud of his accomplishments as a family, he would be prouder of his family's accomplishments. He married his wife Paula in 1959 and they would go on to have more than 61 loving and memorable years together. They raised three fine sons Steve, Mark, and Robert and one daughter Lynne. For Joel, his favorite days were spent with his family enjoying times in Hawaii, on vacation, or simply at good old outdoor barbeques by the pool. The family included over 30 members and there was not a birthday, Thanksgiving or Christmas that you could not find the family all together at the Walker's for yet another meal. Being an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns left many a rivalry, but football was always a mainstream at the Walker household. No matter how much time we spent together as a family, it would never be enough for Joel. He genuinely enjoyed his time with his family. He was known to love them all as much as humanly possible. He was a kind and loving man, quietly touching the lives of many.He is survived by his wife, Paula Walker; his four children, Steve Walker and wife Julie, Mark Walker and wife Kim, Lynne Stonecipher and husband Karl, and Robert Walker; his eleven grandchildren Patrick and his wife Katie, Evan, Olivia, Lindsay and her husband Chris, Amy and her husband Pace, Matthew, Megan, Kody, Callahan, Kate, and McKinley; and his seven great grandchildren Malay, Wyatt, Elinn, Laine, Rhett, Talon, and Dax. In these extraordinary times, a private service for the family will be held at Crossings Community Church in the Chapel which can be viewed in the link below for services. His final resting place is at Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family requests that the time you would have spent with us you would spend with your family and make the lasting memories that this great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, architect, businessman, and friend did with us, his living legacy.