Native Huntsvillian, Moses Eugene Walker passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the age of 98 with his family by his side. He was the youngest of six children born of the late Dr. and Mrs. James Ernest Walker. Survivors include his sons Murray Geron Walker (Gina) of Huntsville, Richard Eugene Walker (Amy) of Gretna, Virginia, and daughter Leila Fearn Walker Burkett (Robert) of Huntsville and two grandchildren Joseph Walker Owen of Tuscaloosa and Benjamin Geron Owen (Casey)of Birmingham as well as, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
After graduating from Huntsville High School in 1942, Moses attended Vanderbilt University. He joined the U.S. Navy Aviation Flight Training in 1943 and received his wings at the Pensacola Air Station, FL in May of 1944. He flew multi-engine sea and land planes including the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado flying boat patrol bomber. During World War II he served in hospital plane evacuations of the wounded soldiers from Iwo Jima to Honolulu and American prisoners of war from the Philippines.
He attended Auburn University after World War II. While at Auburn, Moses was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, served as Junior Class Representative and was a member of the ODK National Leadership Honor Society. He returned to active duty in 1952 during the Korean War. He then served in the U.S. Coast Guard for the remainder of his service. While in the Coast Guard, he flew helicopters and airplanes performing search and rescue missions in the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. He tracked ice bergs for two years with the North Atlantic Ice Patrol. He received the Outstanding Military Award in 1961 from the Federal Business Association of New York and the Coast Guard Commandant’s letter of commendation for his courageous and heroic action in an air-sea rescue of the US Air Force’s Texas Tower #4 collapse in January 1961. The Texas Tower #4 was an intelligence gathering sea-based tower in the North Atlantic off Long Island, NY during the Cold War. It collapsed during a winter storm and Lt. Commander Walker volunteered to fly search and rescue for crew members against conventional wisdom. He served for three years at the Coast Guard Air Station, in New York City, NY. By November 1963, his Aviation Ratings were Airplane Single and Multi- engine Land Airplane, Multi-engine Sea, Instrument, Rotorcraft Helicopter, Sikorsky S-55 and S-58.
After his military career, Moses was co-owner of Walker Brothers Dairy Company with his brother James Earnest Walker Jr. in New Market, AL. He was a member of The First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed his days in the Huntsville Kiwanis Club and “The Rounders” travel group with his many friends. Known for his love for Auburn University, his quick wit, and storytelling, he made people laugh on a regular basis. One of his fondest childhood memories was riding his pony down Clinton Street towards the Russel Erskine Hotel and The Big Springs. The Walker Family home was where the Von Braun Civic Center stands today.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Tara Bulger officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to Tunnel To Towers Foundation or Wounded Warrior Project.
