Jerry Walker, 92, went to be with his Lord on April 14, 2022. Jerry was born October 31, 1929 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to Versa Ellen and John Ray Walker. Jerry grew up in southern Oklahoma and was co-valedictorian of the McLish High School Class of 1947. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and then completed a Masters of Arts in American History in 1953, writing his thesis on "The History of Pauls Valley." He served in the U.S. Army and received a National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served four years as an American History and Government teacher at Norman High Schoolhis first-year pay was $2,800. He taught school while also serving in church youth ministry, and moved into full-time ministry in 1959. In his 32 years of vocational ministry, he served at two churches as Minister of Education: Trinity Baptist Church in Norman, from 1959-70, and Baptist Temple in Oklahoma City, from 1970-1991. He served a term as President of the Oklahoma Baptist Historical Society and was a member of the Oklahoma Baptist Historical Commission. He lived a life of devoted service to his Lord, to his family, and the community around him. He was a tireless birthday card sender and was a man of genuine faith. He spent his life ministering to the needs of others around him. He took time to help anyone, whether they were dressed in a three-piece suit or a three-hole pair of overalls. He took to heart the instruction of the Psalmist to "hide" Gods Word in his heart. Just a few hours before his passing (the day before Good Friday 2022), he quoted 2 Corinthians 5:21 to a hospital room full of family and health care professionals. The ESV version reads: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Jerry added, "What an exchange! I just cant get over it. THATs what Easter is all about." Jerry was a masterful joke and story teller. After moving to Fittstown during his early high school years, he often hitchhiked to Pauls Valley on Fridays for home football games. This wasnt the only time he hitchhiked, thumbing for rides all the way back from a college summer job at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in North Carolina to Shreveport, then caught a bus back home to Noble. He also loved all sports and was a centerfielder for the McLish Oilers, and was a guard on the basketball team. He would often ride horseback to school with his baseball pal Charles Bigham so they wouldnt have to walk home after practice. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting in and out of season, and providing the goods for one of his mothers favorite treats, Squirrel Dumplings. He enjoyed fishing with buddies at farm ponds and places like Lake Texoma, Boggy Creek, Blue River, Washita River, Byrds Mill, and Pennington Creek. Perhaps his most fond athletic recollection came when he and three of his McLish teammates showed up on a whim at a track meet in Ada in their baseball cleats and entered the mile relay. They placed second. He learned a new hymn, "Victory in Jesus," as a sixth grader while attending singing school in Wayne, Oklahoma, a song that remained a Jerry Walker favorite throughout his life. Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly 36 years, LaReta Walker, of Oklahoma City; four children son Ron Walker, OKC; daughter Susan Bridges, Edmond; son Mark Walker and partner Jeffrey Meek, OKC; and son Gordon Walker and wife, Beverly, OKC; three sons by marriage Steve McCord, Florida; David McCord, OKC; Lance McCord and wife, Joy, OKC. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren and their families Megan Walker Tate and husband, Greg, and Presley, Parker and Paige; Joshua Walker and wife, Alex, and Justin, Rhett, Weston and Olivia; Crista Bridges Jaeggli and husband, Mark, and Olivia, Gunnar and Violet; Katie Walker Singletary and husband, Taurean, and Mila and Maris; Blaire Bridges Denneny and husband, Eric, and Breck; Doug Bridges and wife, Courtney; Brooks Walker and wife, Dru; Annie Walker; Sarah McCord Thompson and husband, Trait, and Cale and Lilah Joy; Amy McCord Jones and husband, Colin; Cole McCord and wife, Katie, and Crosby; Taylor McCord Miller and husband, Joshon, and Hezekiah and Magnolia; Clint McCord; Mike McCord. He was preceded in death by the wife of his youth and 30 years, Joan Walker; daughter, Miriam Walker Delay; son-in-law, Kenny Bridges; and grandson, Clay Walker; his parents, John and Versa Walker; and sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and Paul Johnson. The family would like to thank Jessica Swigart of Visiting Angels; and Jerrys physicians, nurses and caregivers at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Fresenius Kidney Care Medical Plaza, and Bellevue Health & Rehabilitation Center for their dedicated and compassionate care. Gratitude is also due to the wonderful residents and staff of Southern Plaza Retirement Community. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home, 3925 N. Asbury in Bethany. Viewing will be held Friday, April 22, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. . Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Friday, April 22, 2022 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Viewing is Friday 9am-8pm with family present from 5-7pm. Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Saturday, April 23, 2022 10:00 AM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 Service will be live-streamed and can be viewed on this obituary page.