Eric Walker

On March 5, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mr. Eric Lawrence Walker entered the world as the 6th child of Ann Walker and William Walker Jr. Years later, he passed away on March 14, 2022 at the age of 57 in his home in Manassas, VA and leaves behind his children, Alesha Walker (28 years old) and Johnathan Walker (26 years old), and his pet family, Lola, Marley, and Taz.

Growing up in Philadelphia, his mother ensured that he received a good education by enrolling him in Phil-Mont Christian Academy and during his high school years he joined the wrestling team, where he thrived. During the summers, he was sent to Virginia and even though he loved seeing his grandparents, he often complained that he wanted to go home because he couldn't stand the bugs. After high school he followed in the family footsteps and went to boot camp under the Marines and then a year later made a lateral transfer to the Army reserves. He then went to Philadelphia Community College before transferring to Kutztown University where he graduated in May 1992. While in college he joined the Black Student Union and got his degree in Psychology, and only returned to college at the urging of his new wife, Tara Walker. Eric and Tara were married on January 11, 1992 in Allentown, PA.

After his time in the reserves, he began a fulfilling career working with adults with disabilities as a mental health therapist and then transferred to work with local police departments and federal agencies. He was proud to serve as an Intelligence Officer for the State Department for over 15 years.

Eric found great joy with his family and was happiest when he had the chance to cook for them. His famous recipes included: a rack of ribs, fried chicken, monkey pull-apart bread, and many others. But, his family will continue to wrack their brains as they try to replicate these recipes as he made it a point to never write a single one down. He also took great pleasure in drawing, imagining up and then getting tattoos, playing the piano, and spending time with his pets (growing up, and even into his adult years, he was known to have a "verifiable zoo" all around him). Other hobbies included listening to stand up comedy, working out (specifically running) while listening to marine corps cadences, and buying and THEN learning how to ride a motorcycle which then inspired him to join 1Down Motorcycle Club when he lived in California.

But, perhaps the most notable thing about Eric was how much he loved and cared about his family. He used to say that the best sound was silence as folks worked through their plates, he was extremely reliable and even drove across the country 4 times over the span of 8 years with his two children, and everyone knew that they could always give him a call in their time of need. Eric was the man with answers, advice, or just a shoulder to cry on and he never complained. To him, being there for his family, both immediate and extended, was where he found his peace. And his family is very well aware that this personality trait was passed down to him by his mother. Eric and his mother, Ann, were very close and he loved her dearly. As her last child he cherished the time he had with her, called her up just to hear her laugh, and was heartbroken when she passed. But now, as he walks through the heavenly gates, he gets to embrace her, his father, William, and his nephew, Shervon, as he moves on from this physical world.

Eric leaves to forever cherish his memories his children, Alesha and Johnathan, mother of his children, Tara, his Siblings, Felicia (Lawrence) Phelps of Youngstown, Ohio, Robin Walker of Norristown, PA , Wanda (Gerald) Samuels of Philadelphia, PA, William (Priscilla) Walker III, of Coolville, Ohio, and Ann Marie (Darin) Simmons of Spotsylvania, VA. His last elder Uncle Pete, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins and friends who loved him dearly.

"To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)

Lovingly submitted by his family.