Thomas M. Walker, 70, of Sanford, Florida, passed away at home with family by his side on March 12, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Alice Walker; mother, Mildred Bess; children Jennifer (Mark) Jones, Thomas Andrew Walker; Matthew (Carol) Walker, and Andrea Walker; brother Kerry Bess; grandchildren, Sarah, Vanna, Sadie, Bailey, and Bryce.
Tom was born in Alex City, Alabama on April 26, 1948 to Fred and Mildred Walker. When he was a small child, his family relocated to Indiana. He grew up in Lawrence, Indiana and graduated from Lawrence Central High School. After graduation, he spent two years at Indiana University.
It was during his time at I. U., that he met the love of his life, Jo Alice Whitehead. His keen sense of humor won her heart and they were married on July 6, 1968–he kept her heart for fifty years. After marriage, his following years were focused on building a life and a family of six. Shortly after graduating from Ivy Tech as a Journeyman Carpenter, he built a home in Lawrence. For the remainder of his life, he was a professional carpenter and wood worker.
Building the kingdom of God was also a priority. In 1980 he moved to Central Florida where he assisted his brother-in-law Gary Hudoff with a home missions church. His entire life was devoted to ministry. In recent years he served as a key member of the POA Deaf Ministry, bringing people to church, and showing compassion by helping those in need. In addition to his devotion to ministry, he was a natural comedian, and loved to make people laugh. Even in his final days fighting leukemia, his joy was making everyone around him happy.
As someone once said, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he.” (It’s a Wonderful Life)
Tom Walker will be remembered and greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Home International Orphanage (Guatemala) can be donated in honor of Thomas Walker. Please make checks payable to the POA and your love gift will be expedited.
Service
Visitation
Pentacostals of Apopka
1427 S Lake Pleasant Rd, Apopka, FL 32703
6:30pm
Service
Pentacostals of Apopka
1427 S Lake Pleasant Rd, Apopka, FL 32703
7:30pm
Tracy and Debi Collins says
Tom was a good friend he will be greatly missed. Love and prayers.
Jo walker says
He loved both of you~ he enjoyed working together at your daycare and condo ????
Patty Geiger says
Jo Alice Walker, I need your number please? I lost your number because of accident delete
Jo Alice Walker says
He loved you both and enjoyed working at your daycare ❤️
Beth Schonk says
JoAlice, Jim and I are so very sorry for you and you’re family’s loss! We have such precious memories of you and Tom! You will continue to be in our prayers! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jo says
Thank you Beth❤️
Steve Hull says
My condolences to you Jo and your family on the passing of Tom. I am praying that God will give comfort and help to all of you at this difficult time. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”.
Matthew Walker says
Steve, before he left he told me and Andy that he wanted to talk to you and didn’t know how to get in contact. This was about an hour before he started degrading quickly. Thank you for your kind words.. just thought you might want to know that you were on his mind before he decided to leave this place.
Jo walker says
Thank you, Steve! Very true.
Jennifer Jones says
Thank you Steve. You’ve always been a special friend to our family. ❤️
NORALENE P SANDERS says
Jo Alice and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Tom was a dear and faithful friend and a big part of our Deaf ministry.
Our hearts are broken. We will miss Tom. We are praying for you and yours and if there is anything you need please let me know. The angels are around you. huge hugs.
Noralene Sanders and Tamara Michaud
Jo says
Love you Noralene
Jo Alice Walker says
So appreciate your support and prayers
Debbie Bennett says
JoAlice & Family
I am so sorry for your loss of a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle & Brother in Christ/ Friend. Bro.Tom was a very loving, caring, compassionate man of God who loved the Deaf people in the Ministry or any deaf friends. He loves to tell jokes or teased just to make us laugh or tell us stories sometime. He taught Sunday school lessons in our Deaf Class and sometime feels like a real live story when he does it. I really hate it that you had to leave all of us. It hurts but we know we will see you some glad day.
In the last few days while living on earth he would share the Love of God with me or other friends / family when he was in the hospital or home. He still share the Word of God.
He will surely be sorely missed in our Deaf Ministry, luncheon outing on Sundays & in church or in his car patiently waiting for his dearly beloved wife and friends who needed ride to church or home, he would wave or chat with me or others.
I know I will for sure miss him in his vest & black leather hat. He surely was a good man !!!!! Bro. Tom I will see you soon someday over the other side of Jordan. If ya see Mom Meg (sniff!) please give her a hug for me. I know she will be thrill to see you as you both will be hearing the Angels singing the songs of Praise. What A Day !!! What A Day that will be !!!! A Glad Happy Reunion when we all get there. I love you Bro Tom just like I told you last Sunday I signed to you I love you. That was my last I Love You to you.
Love all the Walker’s Family!!!! Hugs.
Jo says
Beautifully said, dear Debbie❤️
Jo Alice Walker says
Love you, Debbie
Jo Alice Walker says
Such kind words????
Mike Tuccelli says
Jo Alice — soon and very soon we will all be with Tom in His Kingdom. My heartfelt condolences with you. I appreciated Tom in supporting your interpreting ministry to the Deaf.
Tom knows you are “one among a thousand” (Proverbs) and his life was blessed by you! Oh won’t we have a time when we get to Heaven!! ????
I appreciate you!
Jo Alice Walker says
Yes, Mike. Thank you for those good words
Beth Lopez ( Lindsay) says
Sister Walker and family,
We send our deepest condolences to you and your loved ones during this time of greif. Prayer and lots of love to you as well. Beth Lopez ( Lindsay) and family.
Jo Alice Walker says
Thank you, Beth❤️
Arvid an Freda Palmer says
We are so sorry for your loss Mrs. walker ,an to Matt an Carol Walker an Bailey an Bryce. I know you will miss Grandpa.
Jo Alice Walker says
Bless you, Arvid!
Wilfredo & Carina Ortiz says
Our hearts goes out to you and your family on the passing of your husband, father and best friend, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Last Sunday was a true blessing for me to visit you both. ????????❤️
Jo Alice Walker says
Thank you, Carina and Wil. Love you both
Robin johnson says
I’m sad to hear about the loss of Tom, he would always lend a hand and time he was needed, we appreciated him very much and dad was friends along time, Douglas and myself got to know you both, he will be missed and our prayers go out to you that God will comfort you and your family,
we love you!
Jo Alice Walker says
Hugs and thanks for the comfort basket, Robin
Sonya Griffin says
I have always loved Mr. Tom and his wonderful sense of humor since the day I met him. I was also very moved by how beautiful and almost tangible his love for you his beautiful bride.
He definitely touched my heart and my life and Meredith’s( she asks for you both when we discuss Mrs. No Alice coming over or visiting you).
You and your beautiful family and in my thoughts and prayers with love.
Jo Alice Walker says
That was beautiful. Thank you, Sonya. Love your family
Danielle Head says
Sarah, Gunnar, Andy, Cathy (mom), and I want to send you our deeply condolences to you and your family. He will be greatly missed because he was so wonderful to us especially his humor. We love you, Jo Alice Walker.
Danielle Schwiegerath Head
Jo Alice Walker says
I love you too, Danielle. Thank you❤️
The Navarro Family says
God Bless your family as you celebrate the life of Mr. Walker. May the peace and comfort of Jesus Christ be with you all. He has finished his race and heard “ well done my good and faithful servant.” Prayers
Mark/ Zenaida Astone says
My deeply condolences to you from me and my family . All I know he was very good man and was a funny man . He was loved by many and will be missed by many too . So do we too . We love him ! My prayer is that God will be closer to you and will be your shadow as you go out and come in daily in His Love and Protection . You will be in our thoughts and prayers daily . Love you sister Jo Walker . ❤️
Jo Alice Walker says
Yes… He will be my shadow Zee. Thank you and love you
Pastor Fernando and Gladys West says
Our prayer and condolences are to the family. May God keep and lift you up doing your time of bereavement.
Jo Alice Walker says
Thank you. Jesus is our source of strength
Kim and Deano Graham says
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a great man. We are praying for you and your family.
Jo Alice Walker says
Thank you Deano and Kim. Love you❤️
Danny & Tina Cooper says
Rejoicing for our dear friend Tom… ‘Remembering’ with you & your precious family.
He was one-of-a-kind; and for sure, a Kind One! All who had the distinct privilege of crossing his path were indeed blessed & never the same.
His passion for bringing joy to others was a gift…. For, as we know, “laughter doeth good like a medicine”.
A Godly man & lover of Truth who will be forever missed and fondly reminisced!
Jo Alice Walker says
That was beautiful, Tina and Danny. Thank you and you are right. He was kind.
Liz and Patrick Murdock says
Patrick and I are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for God’s comfort during this time for you and your family. We loved Tom and will miss his smiling face at Church.
Jo Alice Walker says
Yes, he will be missed. Thank you, Liz and Patrick????
Bonnie Sims Zizzo says
I am sending prayers for All of the Walker family, Tom was definitely one of a kind and will be truly missed here on earth. Tom and his wife Joalice are an amazing , Beautiful team and together they have served the Lord by mentoring hundreds if not thousands over the years. No matter what was affecting their lives they still put others first and we’re always there to uplift and minister to others in need. Even at the end of his life, Tom prayed for others . Tom and his wife have raised beautiful children and my heart aches for their loss of such a compassionate, funny, loving man. If we could all live our lives like Tom (and Joalice ) Walker we would have a much more peaceful world. 50 years together is a blessing most people will never experience, all the experiences in life they have survived together and now Joalice will need uplifting from us all . (Isaiah 41:10) . Thank you Tom for ministering so many, thank you for your compassion to others, thank you for the love and support you have always given to your family, they are truly blessed. We are all blessed to have had you as Part of our lives. I smile to think of all the beauty heaven beholds and how happy and peaceful you are right now . “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see GOD “ !!!!! Love you always, Bonnie and Sam
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Jo Alice Walker says
That was so tender and sweet, Bonnie. Thank you. Love you and your precious family too. My words are few right now but I am so grateful for all the love I feel.
Rolando Coronado says
Thank you for all your help. Rest in peace in heaven. We love you and your family from the Coronado family.