E.L. (SPUR) WALKER, JR.

1930-2017

E.L. (Spur) Walker, Jr. loving husband, father and grandfather passed away one day shy of his 87th birthday on September 21, 2017 in Bryan, Texas, his home for the past four years.

Born in Decatur, Texas on September 22, 1930 to Ruth Mauldin Walker and Esper Lafayette Walker, he was an only child, but had 13 aunts and uncles and over 30 cousins, so he understood the dynamic of a large family.

Knowing the importance of a college education, Spur achieved his goal of attending the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now Texas A&M University, in the fall of 1949 and became a proud member of the Class of ’53 making lifelong friends. He was a member of the “A” Engineers – one of three who graduated out of an outfit of 35 – making it through the rigorous training and academic of the Corps of Cadets. While a cadet, he served as a cadet captain on senior court and was associate editor of Engineer Magazine.

Upon graduation from A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, he spent three years in the US Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir and Fort Leonard Wood attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In 1957, he took a position with the Texas Highway Department in Austin, Texas.

Spur attended Yale University Bureau of Highway Traffic in 1958 receiving a senior certificate in civil engineering. That led to a position as the first City Traffic Engineer for the City of High Point, North Carolina. His career then took him to the private sector and the position of Consulting Engineer, with Wilbur Smith Associates in Columbia, South Carolina from 1963-1970. He was promoted to Vice President and moved to head the office in Houston, Texas in 1970. As a Registered Professional Engineer in eight states, he gave oversight to a variety of projects.

Spur was involved in several professional organizations and served as President of the Southern Section of Traffic Engineers organizing members from nine states. After 31 years of service, he retired in 1994 to golf, travel, attend Aggie football and baseball games and most of all enjoy time with his family.

He met the former Sara Lynn Dunlap in Missouri while she was attending Stephens College and Spur was in the Army. They married in her hometown of Ridgely, Tennessee on October 2, 1955. Sara and Spur began their life together traveling to the different towns for his career and began their family with the birth of their son David in 1962 and daughter Annette in 1966. The move to Houston in 1970 began a four-decade life where both Spur and Sara were very involved in their children’s lives as well as community and civic affairs, PTA, boy and girl scouts, church and various organizations.

In 2013 Spur and Sara moved to Bryan, Texas to be closer to their daughter, Aggie sporting events and Class of ’53 reunions.

For many years he organized the Muster program for his class to remember their fallen friends. Their Muster programs were presented at ranches, hill country resorts, on campus, on cruise ships or “wherever a few would gather”. Spur and Sara enjoyed reuniting with his former classmates and joining A&M United Methodist Church.

He was very proud of his wife, children and grandchildren, led a good life, was a devout Christian and loved his family. We will miss him truly and love him always. Spur leaves his wife Sara, daughter Annette of College Station, Texas, son David and wife Shelly of McKinney, Texas and grandchildren Ashley and Kyle.

Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 South College Avenue, Bryan, TX 77801, Thursday, September 28, 6 - 8 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2017 at A&M United Methodist Church at 417 University Drive, College Station, Texas 77845 with burial to follow at The Aggie Field of Honor.

The family asked that any memorials be made to A&M United Methodist Church in College Station, Texas.