The Class of 1967 yearbook predicted Jerry Dale Walker to be a successful Army officer, engineer, alumnus and family man: “A truly likable guy, Jerry will always be remembered for his friendly smile, charm and easygoing manner. Whether playing rugby or battling academics, he was determined to do his best, an attribute which earned him the respect of everyone he encountered. …” They “could always depend on him.” Jerry is remembered by his cherished West Point friends as humble, honest, hardworking, and calm in any circumstance.
As a cadet, Jerry was a two-year starter on the Army Rugby Team that won the 1967 College National Rugby Championship at Notre Dame. While his size and athletic ability made him a power to be reckoned with, it was his perseverance and zeal that made him a shining light for his teammates.
Graduating as a battalion commander, Jerry branched Field Artillery and reported to Fort Sill, OK, where his new wife, Mary, graciously cooked for USMA roommates Dan Schrage and Bill Hoagland and close friend Randy Pais. Jerry, a charter member of the Two-Percent Club, married his high school sweetheart, Mary Morgan, in Nebraska on June 18. They were blessed to celebrate 53 years together.
The foursome reported together to Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, where Jerry’s Winnebago, NE farm-boy antics kept them on alert (and away from snakes!). A posting in Bamberg, Germany and the birth of daughter Lisa followed Ranger School. From 1969 to 1970 Jerry served a tour in Vietnam, after which he was awarded several medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star. After completing the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course back at Fort Sill, the Army sent Jerry to the University of Michigan for a master’s degree in civil engineering. Here, son Jeremy was born.
In 1977 Jerry resigned from the Army but continued to serve in the Army Reserve for another 12 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the 75th Division in Houston and working with Randy.
After leaving the Army, Jerry was hired by Exxon. He brought more than his engineering skills to the Exxon marketing department in Memphis, TN. Jerry combined business acumen with the Army-honed gifts of leadership and integrity to successfully lead others in accomplishing their mission. He made lifelong friends in a company where he was universally respected and admired for his calm demeanor and steadfast character. Jerry’s boss, Exxon senior executive Ray Hansen, noted when learning of Jerry’s passing, “Jerry always knew what he was talking about and could always be trusted.”
Each new engineering/management assignment brought Jerry and Mary to Memphis, New Orleans, Charlotte, and Houston. Every move offered new challenges and opportunities. Jerry retired from Exxon in 2008 as the nationwide manager of fuel oils for Exxon marketing.
In 2009 Jerry was convinced by Randy Pais to join him at Kinder Morgan as a consultant on a $2.28 billion natural gas pipeline project. Jerry did an outstanding job on this project, once again impressing senior management with his leadership ability and his team approach. After the project concluded, he prepared a lesson-learned manual, which Kinder Morgan continues to use before commencing any major project.
Jerry’s love for West Point and his pride in being a member of the Class of 1967 never waned. He and Mary always participated in Houston-based West Point activities, as well as class reunions at West Point. The 50th reunion in May 2017 was a special time to renew the lifelong bond with fellow classmates and friends. An avid outdoorsman, he relished the class bi-annual outdoor trip to classmate Bill Foley’s Rock Creek Ranch in Montana. His friends will miss him on these trips, which are always filled with laughter and adventure. On one recent trip, Paul Kern, Randy Pais and Jerry climbed a large hill to Foley’s Rock. On the way down, with Jerry and Paul about 20 yards ahead, Randy tripped and started rolling down the hill like a bowling ball, shooting past them. With 50 years of friendship and understanding, Jerry observed, “Well, that is a typical Randy incident.”
Jerry was the rock and pillar for his family and friends, that person you could always count on. He was a loving and caring husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed watching family members’ sports and school activities. And, with family, he mourned the loss of granddaughter Sara Buck’s son Auvy. Just two weeks before he died, Jerry and Mary shared dinner at the Woodlands with Wes Spincic, Randy Pais and their beloved spouses. He excitedly recounted his visit to Beeville that day with his son Jeremy and Jeremy’s wife, Angela; his daughter Payton; and his granddaughter Sara Buck, sharing all the fun they had together. Later he showed off his new King Ranch Ford truck, ready to help move him and Mary to Austin to be near Jeremy.
It has been said that it is not the riches one accumulates or the honors that one earns in life, but it is the size of the footprints one leaves in the sand for those who respect us to follow. Jerry, a man of faith, left footprints, made from character and family values, large and deep with love, care, calm and kindness. Footprints that remind us of Jerry’s big smile. As stated in the West Point Alma Mater, “May it be said, ‘Well Done.’” Jerry, well done.
— Randy Pais ’67, Bill Hoagland ’67 and family