George Henry Walker

George Henry Walker, born June 1, 1914 to the home of William Comador Walker and Ida May (King), in the Taft Community 12 miles North of Fort Sumner. Mr. Walker died November 29, 2001 at his home in Fort Sumner. George was raised on a claim his father filed in 1906. He attended schools at Taft. George had 3 older brothers and 3 sisters. They farmed with teams of horses and mules and raised cattle. In 1931 Margrete Vick, with her family moved to the Anal Community. She met George there and were married December 24, 1933 in Lubbock, Texas. George worked at many jobs, as this was the Depression. They farmed beans at Willard one year. He helped construct the first hospital in Fort Sumner and was employed on the construction of the Alamogordo Dam until it’s completion. He ranched on the original family claim for several years. He was hired as a plumber’s helper at the Fort Sumner Air Base. The plumber had an accident and George took over all the plumbing duties at the Base with a German Prisoner as a helper. He also worked for Frank Motl in Anton, Texas where he took care of his cattle and ranched for a number of years. With the encouragement of M.P. “Pem” Carr, George became a licensed Master Plumber, moved his family to Fort Sumner and worked for 40 years. He served the Santa Rosa, Vaughn and Melrose area. He also was contracted for the Villanueva and Lake Sumner State Park. He had many loyal customers. George was a member of the Fort Sumner Church of Christ and was baptized in 1937 by Roland Johnson who was minister at the time. Church was a very important part of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, sisters and a grand daughter Kelly DeArmond. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Margrete Walker of the family home in Fort Sumner, 4 daughters Betty DeArmond and husband Jimmy of Amarillo, TX, Lorene Hines and husband Bob of La Grande, OR, Patricia and husband Tommy Marshall, Loretta and husband Earl Turnbow all of Fort Sumner, one son Bill Walker and wife Judy of Abilene, TX. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 26 Great grandchildren, 3 Great-great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 3, 2001 at 2:00 PM from the Church of Christ in Fort Sumner with Mr. Perry Zumwalt and Mr. Skip Clark officiating. Burial followed in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers were George’s grandsons, Brad Walker, Robert Hines, Jeff Hines, Tim Hines, Casey Turnbow, Taylor Turnbow, Patrick Turnbow, Scott Marshall and Keith Marshall. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be all of George’s many friends. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180; Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All services were entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.