Reverend Dr. Thomas J Walker

Thomas J Walker, 83, died peacefully Friday, April 9 at Wesley Willows with his family at his side, loving and blessing him and full of gratitude for the gift of his life.
Tom will be remembered for his use of his spiritual gifts of preaching and teaching God’s Word. He devoted many hours each week in study, writing first drafts with paper and pen, refining his messages. When he preached, Pastor Tom came down from the pulpit to be closer to his congregation and never referred to his manuscript. Congregants often wondered how he knew their thoughts and conversations of that week. In over 1400 sermons in 40 years of ministry, his sermons always were personal, relevant and Spirit-filled. Copies were always available and were saved or passed along to others.
Tom’s study and library were his source of joy and comfort. He worked from a desk made for him as a youth by his skilled woodworker grandfather. Today the desk’s stress marks are evidence of Tom’s devotion to his calling as a student, pastor, scholar, lover of the written word, and searcher for God’s truth. Tom would often amaze friends and family by quoting an author he read long before, and he could recall its location in his library and the page it could be found; the same for locating Scripture. When he taught classes in ‘spiritual growth’, a list of books that he, himself, found helpful was available. Especially after retirement, Study Group participants looked to Tom for a next book for study; more than not, he had a good one to recommend.
Born March 2, 1938, son of Ralph and Alvera Walker, as a boy his favorite past time was baseball played on the empty lot next to the family home. Summers were spent with neighborhood boys perfecting their batting and fielding skill and storing up memories which they recall to this day.
Tom attended Park Ridge schools and Maine East HS. He graduated with a BA degree from DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, where he was a member of Beta Theta Phi Fraternity. A 3 month DePauw mission work trip to Europe was an ideal place to begin a lifelong relationship with a ‘best-buddy’ team member. One week after graduating from college, Tom and Ellyn (Vyhnalek) were married.
Tom studied for his Bachelor of Divinity degree at Drew University and his Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. Tom received his Deacon and Elder Orders from Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Tom served Ottawa Street UMC (Joliet), Sandwich UMC, Gary Memorial UMC (Wheaton), Hazel Crest UMC, Belvidere UMC, and retiring after 10 years at First UMC (Elgin).
As husband, father, pastor, friend, Tom will be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his devotion to his growing faith, his in-depth conversations with youth, spiritual formation groups, and his generous support for the ministries of the Church and for those forgotten in our world.
Tom is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Ellyn; son Stephen (Beth Stephenson), Viroqua, Wi; daughter Jane, Rockford; grandchildren, Jonah and Isabella; sister Karen (Joe) Zipparro, Des Plaines; sister-in-law Lynne Robbins, Rochelle. He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws Anton and Ella Vyhnalek; and brother-in-law John Robbins.
A private memorial service will be held Saturday, April 24 at Christ United Methodist Church, Rockford. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Christ UMC, 4509 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, 61107 or Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund, 4142 Johns Farm Rd. Rockford, 61101 would be appreciated. A special thanks to Wesley Willows Nursing Staff, OSF Hospice and Nurse Rebecca.
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