-><!-- DisplayFullObituaryText -->Walker, Dr. John DavidDr. John David Walker, 83, passed away at his home in the presence of his family February 24, 2015. Born in Mineral Wells, Texas on July 19, 1931, he originally followed his father, Tom Walker, into the Church of Christ ministry. David retired as an English professor after 35 years at Harpur College (Binghamton University). While attending Abilene Christian University, David met Wynona Foster. They were members of the Pickwickian Poetry Club. David and Nona graduated, then married in May of 1952. After completing an M.A. at the University of Texas, Austin, David taught for 4 years at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky. He then attended Rice University, Houston, Texas, studying under Dr. Jackson Cope and Dr. Aubrey Williams. David transferred to University of Florida, Gainsville, where he earned his Ph.D., under Dr. Williams, specializing in 18th Century English Literature. After retiring in 1995, a special arrangement from Binghamton University allowed David to participate in six BU London Semesters Abroad. He was accompanied by Nona and they were able to explore London as they had dreamed of during the lean times of their early married life. While based in London, they traveled extensively visiting the United Kingdom, India, Greece, Finland, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Sicily, Ireland, Scotland, Israel, Crete, all the middle European countries, and Egypt, cruising the Nile. He was a mentor and guide to countless students, many of whom have gone on to experience rewarding careers of their own as teachers, writers, and poets; in particular Chris Fox Ph.D, Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame and Director of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies. David was always up for a pithy debate about politics, literature, football, or just life in general. Every moment was an opportunity for him to teach and he continued to do so long after he left the classroom. He drew from a depth of personal experiences encompassing an era of icemen delivering 25 lb. blocks to the kitchen door, through the invention of the internet. Sometimes his wit was a gentle humor, sometimes it pierced, but we always learned and grew. David was preceded in death by his daughter Shelley Elizabeth at age nine in 1969; his parents Tom and Ruth Walker of Dallas, Texas; his brother James Walker and his sisters Doris Bond (Charles), and Joyce Hull (Richard) also of Texas. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wynona Foster Walker, and his four children: one son, David Dryden Walker, Elmhurst, Illinois; and three daughters: Nike Molyneaux Crowley (Tim), Juliet Berling of Binghamton, and Jennifer Stair (David) High Ridge, Missouri; four grandsons, Mark Molyneaux, Ian Berling, Jeff Berling, John David Berling; eight granddaughters, Shannon Howe (Tanner), Roxanne Berry (Daniel), Gwennyth Stair (Joseph Christen), Emily Stair, Sophia Stair, Anne Berling, Kaily Walker, and Kelly Jane Walker; and three great-grand daughters, Quinn Howe, Camden Howe, and Charlotte Berry all of whom loved and respected their Papa Daddy. His many nieces and nephews in Texas, California, Tennessee, and Massachusetts were always in his thoughts. Dr. Walker chose cremation and was interred at Vestal Hills Memorial Park in a private ceremony by his family, near his daughter Shelley. Memorial Service will be held at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Saturday February 28th at 1:30 pm. Please join us in the Tabernacle Coffee House after the service. Contributions may be made to ;(function() { var adKeyValue = 't='; adKeyValue+= escape('clio=DWOB'); adKeyValue += escape('&cobrand=pressconnects'); adKeyValue += escape('&linktext=Doctors Without Borders'); adKeyValue += escape('&linkurl=http://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/286982361%3B113943665%3Bs'); adKeyValue += escape('&fn=John'); adKeyValue += escape('&ln=Walker'); var adClkUrl = 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?iu=/423686928/prod/obit-aff/obit-standard/clio-inline-1&' + adKeyValue + '&sz=1x1&c=2107486473'; var adImpUrl = 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?iu=/423686928/prod/obit-aff/obit-standard/clio-inline-1&' + adKeyValue + '&sz=1x1&c=2107486473'; document.write("<a href='" + adClkUrl + "' target=_blank>Doctors Without Borders<" + 'img' + " src='" + adImpUrl + "' style='width=1px; height=1px; display:inline;' /></a>"); }()); through their website at www.doctorswithoutborders.org. To forward condolences and light a candle please visit www.chopyak-scheider.com "David, Texan, husband, father, son You are a truth teller&#8230;.the bravest Of God's children When most of us cover, conceal, surrender, or become silent You reveal, unmask, defy, and announce." by Professor Walker's student Lianne R. Riegal