Robert J. Walker (R.J) was born on June 22, 1929, to the late Robert Thomas Walker (R.T.) and Susie (Stinson) Walker in Thomaston GA. He was born the first of two children. Robert peacefully departed this life on December 24, 2024.

In search of better employment opportunities, the family moved from Thomaston GA to Cleveland OH in 1942. Robert (R.J) continued his education and graduated from Central High School. His most fond memories of his high school years included establishing many lifelong friendships, membership in the Honey Drippers social club, and starring on the Football Team (playing both offense and defense). It was the time at Central High that would set the foundation for some life-changing events.

In 1951, Robert entered military service and served in the US Army where he was trained as a Pipe Fitter. His military commitment led him to serve in Korea. In his time served, the most amazing event was running into his younger Brother Amos. In a country at war and filled with soldiers from all parts of the US, two brothers with different assignments would cross paths, halfway around the world. By the grace of God, both Amos and Robert faithfully completed their service and returned to Cleveland shortly after the conflict ended.

When the brothers returned home from service, the home on E79th street served as a sort of family compound. The parents resided on the first floor, Amos took the second-floor unit and Robert (R.J.) lived on the third floor. This fulfilled the hopes and prayers of Robert (R.T.) and Susie. His parents purchased it with the hope that the entire family would forever have a place they could all safely call their own.

Upon his return to Cleveland, he would reconnect with many of his friends. Of his special friendships established in High School, God graciously placed a very special friend in his life.  That friendship would prove to be life-changing in several ways. Prentis (Foster) White would introduce Robert to her husband, S.T. White, and his sister Leonia White. Not long after meeting Leonia (Lee), Robert proposed marriage and on June 30, 1956, they wed. Their marriage lasted for 56 years. To this marriage, they were blessed with on child (Brent).

The 1960’s brought about another family milestone, Robert and Leonia purchased their first and only home in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard community. With the help of Mr. Ozie Smith, a home was purchased on Lotus Drive. It was the home on Lotus that brought about many other lifelong friendships. One of the very special friendships that blossomed was the relationship with the Weeden Family. Lawrence Sr, Barbara, and their immediate family members remained among his most cherished and trusted friends.

Robert professed a belief in Christ at an early age and was baptized as an outward display of his inward faith. Robert and Leonia joined Olivet as a family under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. O.M. Hoover and faithfully continued their worship and service under the leadership of Reverend Dr, Otis Moss Jr and Reverend Dr. Jawanza K. Colvin.

The mid 1960’s brought on another lifechanging event that God had graciously directed. S.T. White helped Robert to gain employment at the Cleveland Tank Plant which was a division of General Motors. Robert faithfully worked at the facility until it closed in the early 1970’s. By the grace of God and his great providence, GM had recently completed building a large fabrication and assembly plant named Lordstown. As the plant was located near Youngstown OH, it served as a perfect fit. It suited Robert’s love for driving. With the exception of the major winter blizzards of the late 1970’s, Robert never missed a day. He immensely enjoyed the hour-long drive and would trade it for nothing. In 1994, Robert retired from GM and began his next phase of life.

Retirement brought on new challenges that family and friends were uncertain of. For a man that had worked steadily since the age of thirteen, worked two jobs most of his life and had no concept of rest and relaxation, it was tough to imagine what retirement would look like.  Unwilling to sit back and live a life of ease, he kept busy driving people to Dr visits, making visits to the sick and hospitalized family members and friends. Soon after retirement, he checked an item off his bucket list. Robert and Lee took off on a month-long trip. He drove from Cleveland to Seattle, Seattle to Los Angeles, LA to New Orleans and then New Orleans back to Cleveland. The trip included visits from old friends and former co-workers. He drove the entire route and loved every minute of it. The crown piece of retirement was his time in the swimming pool. He swam 6 days a week. Faithfully rising at 7am to and returning home just after noon. Then each day after his swim, time was spent working in the yard. Rarely spending idle time, as he valued work. He believed work to be an expression of gratitude to God for all the blessings he had received.

On Tuesday December 24^th, 2024, Robert answered the call to be with the Lord and Savior he so faithfully served.

He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Brent (Cassandra), a hosts of family members in GA, nieces and nephews, former classmate and lifelong friend Lawrence Thompson, and more friends and acquaintances than the law should allow.