Mr. John Stephens Walker Sr.

September 2, 1938 - August 21, 2019

John Stephens Walker Sr., 80, of Center, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019, in Nacogdoches. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2019, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Rev. Jerry Gannon and Rev. Dale Gannon officiating. Military honors will he held immediately following the service under the direction of VFW Post #8904. Interment will follow at Smith Cemetery in Center. Mr. Walker was born September 2, 1938, in Carthage to Newton Flournoy Walker and Rose Mary Bozeman Walker. He served in the United States Navy and later became a lawyer. He owned and operated John S. Walker Law Firm in Center for fifty years, during which time he also served as District Attorney for Shelby and Panola Counties for eight years and County Attorney in Shelby County for eight years. Mr. Walker was awarded for his fifty years of service to the Texas State Bar. He was a member of James Church of Christ, where he served as Elder and Sunday school teacher. He is survived by his wife, Diann Walker of Center; children, Amy Walker Hampson and husband Gregory John of Cochrane, Rhonda Kaye Walker of Wichita, Kansas, and John Stephens Walker Jr. of Pearland; grandchildren, Jonathan Joseph Boudousquie, Andrew Joseph Boudousquie, KellyAnn Walker Guerrettaz, Stephanie Kaye Walker, Sarah Michele Walker, and James Bronson; special cousins, Tommy and Ben Thomas; niece, Karen Walker; other family; and a host of friends. Preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jo Anne Manning Walker; parents, Newton Flournoy Walker and Rose Mary Bozeman Walker; brothers, Robert F. Walker and Gholston Walker. Pallbearers will be Larry Russell, Wayne Hooper, Walter Manning, Joel Hooper, Tommy Thomas, and Ben Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Jody Hooper, Carlton Shamburger, and Jr. Cassidy. Local obituary furnished by Hawthorn Funeral Home.