Retired Judge Dee Brown Walker was 90 years old when he helped us create the Bear Creek Cemetery Foundation and obtain 501(C)13 status.
On April 27, 2006, Judge Dee Brown Walker died peacefully after a long battle from the effects of Diabetes. Dee Brown Walker was born December 3, 1912 in Royse City, Texas, to Dee Alexander and Lela Blanche (Jones) Walker. In 1942 he married Ruthe Elizabeth Edwards, daughter of Mrs. Hays B. Edwards. Their daughter Susan Hays Walker was born in January 1947, and their son Stephen Craig Walker was born in November 1947. In 1952 he married Anna Gandy, daughter of William Robert and Etta Onelia (Taylor) Gandy.
After losing his father at a young age, he moved to Dallas with his mother and brother (A.C. Walker), where he attended and graduated from North Dallas High School in 1930. Although it was difficult during the depression years Judge Walker received his Bachelor of Laws from Southern Methodist University in 1935. He was the last surviving member of that class.
Judge Walker was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in 1935, was assistant to General Counsel of Southland Life Insurance Company, and formed the law firm of Dillard and Walker with his friend Robert L. Dillard.
Judge Walker was a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, serving as chairperson of the Grievance Committee from 1956 to 1962. He also served on the Committee on Revision of State Bar Rules on Grievance Procedure for one year.
Judge Walker served in the U. S. Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946, rising from enlisted man to First Lieutenant. He continued service as a Reserve Officer for six years after his Honorable Discharge.
Judge Walker committed his life to community service, believing it is the responsibility of all citizens to support their city, county, state, and country. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he served as Chairman for 12 years of the White Buffalo District 6, Circle Ten Council, and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1965. Additionally, he was a member of the American Humanics Foundation, Dallas Cliff Hill Lions Club, Military Order of the World Wars, Disabled American Veterans, was Past President, Dallas Chapter No. 2, Sons of the American Revolution, and served on the Dallas County Democratic Executive Committee for 11 years. He was a Trustee to three Cemetery Foundations, Royse City, Chisholm, and, Cottonwood. In 1963-1964, he served as a Dallas Public Library Trustee.
In 1963, he was appointed Judge, of the 162nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas by Governor John B. Connally and remained on the Bench until 1980. During the course of his tenure as jurist, he had many interesting cases including a Landmark Decision for the Right of Assembly and Protest during the Civil Rights era in Dallas.
In 1998 he returned to the city of his birth, was named "Royse City, Texas, Man of the Year", and received the golden key to the city.
Judge Walker is preceded in death by his first wife Ruthe (1917-2003), his second wife Anna Gandy Walker (1909-1996), his son, Stephen Craig Walker (1947-1986), and his brother, A. C. Walker (1908-2001). He is survived by his daughter, Susan Hays Walker; his goddaughter, Terry Davis; her children, Erica Chapman and Christopher Davis; and his caregivers, Kevin Todd, Diana Gilbert, and Andrea Sommers-Todd.
Judge Walker was a dedicated humanitarian who helped many who he was proud to call friend. In his passing, he will be missed.
Memorial services will be held May 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at East Dallas Christian Church located at 629 N. Peak St. in Dallas where he was a member for over 60 years having been honored as Elder Emeritus on his 93rd birthday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Dallas Christian Church, Dallas Scottish Rite, or the American Diabetes Association. Burial will be at Restland Memorial Park.
