Charles Ray Walker, M.D., 86, of Beaumont, died Friday, February 28, 2014, at Summer Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Beaumont. A native of Beaumont, he was born on September 24, 1927, to Estelle Ray Walker and Howell Haywood Walker, D.D.S.
Dr. Walker was Valedictorian of the 1944 graduating class of Beaumont High School. He received his Associates Degree from Lamar Junior College, Beaumont, in 1945, and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University, Waco, in 1947. He continued his education by obtaining his M.D. from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1951. From 1951-1952, he performed a Rotating Internship at UTMB followed by his Radiology Residency from 1952-1955.
Throughout his medical career he was a member and leader of several Radiology departments. He was a Diplomat on the American Board of Radiology, 1955; Instructor of Radiology, UTMB, Galveston, 1955-1956; Deputy-Chief of Radiology, U.S.P.H.S. Hospital, San Francisco, 1956-1957; Chief of Radiology, U.S.P.H.S. Hospital, Baltimore, 1957-1958; Assistant Professor of Radiology, UTMB, Galveston, 1958-1960; Private Practice of Diagnostic Roentgenology, Beaumont, 1960-1986; Consultant in Diagnostic Radiology at V.A. Clinic, Beaumont, 1984-1997; and Consultant in Diagnostic Radiology at Southeast Texas Medical Associates, Beaumont, 1997 until his retirement in 2006.
In 1962, Dr. Walker was one of the founders and first President of the North Jefferson County Republican Club. He was Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman from 1964-1970 and 1992-2000. Dr. Walker was also a past President of the Paul Revere Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, past President of the local chapter of Sons of Confederate Veterans, and past President of the Texas Gulf Historical Society. He taught Bible Study at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and was a leader of St. Mark’s Men’s Thursday Morning Prayer Breakfast for thirty years. Dr. Walker was a collector of classic movies and music from the Big Band era, an avid piano and gin rummy player, active in Jefferson County politics, and a voracious reader on a wide range of topics including the Civil War and WWII.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Walker of Beaumont; son, Earl Howell Walker; and daughter, Caroline Walker Pallis and her husband, Constantinos “Dino,” all of Houston; granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Pallis; step-granddaughters, Elena Marie Pallis and Alexandra Michelle Pallis; two brothers, Lynn Walker and William “Bill” Walker, M.D. and his wife, Pattie; and many other loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Haywood Walker, D.D.S.; and sisters, Edna Erle Kimball, Maude Page Mabry, and Hallie Mae Halpin.
A gathering of Dr. Walker’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with entombment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or Tyrell Historical Library, 695 North Pearl Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
