Thomas Ray Walker

July 9, 1943 - March 2, 2022

Thomas Ray Walker, age 78 of Dayton, passed away early Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at his home. He was born in Dayton on July 9, 1943, the son of the late Thomas Earl Walker and Wilma (Goins) Walker. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Beverly “Jeri” (Cochran) Walker; his infant daughter, Donna Michelle Walker; and his step-daughter, Charlene Cayton. Thomas Ray graduated from Rhea Central High School Class of 1961, served his country in the USMC, retired after 25 years as a welder for Combustion Engineering, and was a Rhea County Sheriff’s Deputy until his retirement. He was a member of the American Legion Post 100 and was a Christian man. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Greg) Rose of Chesapeake, VA; his son, Stacey Walker of Naples, FL; his sister, Marlene Sneed of Dayton; and his nine grandchildren, Madison, Jillian, Caroline, and Allison Rose and Benjamin, McKenna, Joseph, Andrew, and Matthew Walker. The family would like to give special thanks to his caregivers, Angela Thompson, Coral Miller, and Mike Divala. Funeral services with military honors for Thomas Ray will be on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with his son, Stacey Walker, and his son-in-law, Greg Rose, officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his wife in Rhea Memory Gardens. Please share your memories of Thomas on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com. The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN, where they will receive friends on Friday, March 4, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.