Jerry Allen Walker, a retired Major League baseball pitcher and beloved local resident known for his handcrafted Christmas yard display died unexpectedly at his home in Ada, OK on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at age 85. He was born south of Ada on February 12, 1939 at Pecan Grove to parents Annie Elizabeth (Rhodes) and Oliver Ansel Walker. He grew up on a farm at Byng with two older brothers, Ansel and Henry, and a younger sister, Jane. They attended Central Church of Christ in Ada (where he met Janis). In 1957 Jerry graduated from Byng High School and went straight to work in major league baseball, a career that lasted over 6 decades.
Jerry married Janis Carrol (Violet) on October 11, 1959 and had two daughters, Cindy and Felicia. From spring training to fall playoffs, Jerry's summer career took him through 47 of the 50 states, yet Ada was always "Home". In the off season, Jerry spent time furthering his education at East Central, spending time with family and friends and enjoying his many hobbies. He was an accomplished woodworker.
One of his hobbies was spreading Christmas Joy. At least four generations of Ada children (and parents) will remember stopping by the Walker house at Christmas to see his brightly lit yard and hand built "North Pole Village". Structures included Santa's workshop, gift house and reindeer barn (complete with reindeer). You would find Rudolph, Santa and his sleigh among the many busy elves as well as Mrs. Claus looking over her very long list of good boys and girls. On Christmas eve Jerry would dress as Santa and pass out candy canes at the street. Christmas held a special place in the romance of Janis and Jerry and the whole family delighted in sharing the love of the season with the community.
Jerry's career spanned 61 years. He is perhaps most known for being the winning pitcher of the 1959 All-Star American League Championship and for being the youngest player to do this. He pitched for and has baseball cards with the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics, and Cleveland Indians. However, his career also included being a player/coach, farm club manager, minor and major league scout, pitching coach, general manager, and front office vice president for several teams. He worked for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds.
Jerry's foundation of hard work, faith, family, and fun was fully evident in his solid principles. Despite his sport's successes, he was a humble man who lived his life serving God and people. When asked, these verses guided him daily: Colossians 3:23, Philippians 3:13-14 and Philippians 4:8.
Jerry Walker is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janis; daughters, Cindy and Brian Current of Arkansas City, KS and Felicia and Barry Whitworth of Byng, OK; six grandchildren (Tarah, Dori, Lauren, Madison, Walker and Cheyene); six great grandchildren (Reagan, Tatum, Jolie, Jerriven, Aurora and Henry); one brother, Henry and Mary Beth Walker of Kennewick, WA; and sister, Jane and John Burchett of Byng, OK. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ansel and Elizabeth Walker and brother, Ansel. Jr.
Funeral Services will be held at Central Church of Christ in Ada, OK at 2 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Online streaming of the service will be available through adacentralfamily.net. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.
