Alfred Swain Walker might be remembered as a man who was at home outdoors. A farmer and rancher who, when retiring, became active in wagon train riding, Alfred loved the land.
Alfred was born Oct. 11, 1912 in Carnegie, Ok. to George Anderson Walker and Lona Elmer Hurley Walker. He grew up in the Fort Cobb area with his two brothers and five sisters. He married Helen Margaret Hewitt on Nov. 9, 1933 at Anadarko. They had two children, Tommy Lewis Walker and Ruby Elaine Schlipf. In later years, Helen was active at their farm and later accompanied Alfred on the many trail rides they participated in . They were married for 58 years, until she passed away Feb. 10, 1989.
When he was 27, Alfred and Helen moved their family to Yuma, Az., and for the next six years he was active in construction, working primarily with earth moving equipment. During World War II, they moved to the west coast and Alfred helped build several Defense Department facilities, most notably the Seattle-Tacoma International Air Field in Seattle, Wa.
In 1945, Alfred returned to OKC. He was a partner with his brother, Marquis, in an electrical contracting business for the next ten years. During this time, he and Marquis were also very active in Midget auto car racing. After several years of successful racing, they competed at the Indianapolis 500 and other U.S.A.C. Championship races throughout the U.S.
In 1955, when Alfred was 43, he retired from the electrical contracting business to pursue a longtime dream--farming and ranching. He and Helen farmed and ranched on their farm off N.W. 63rd in OKC and their ranch in Mustang. They raised cattle, pigs, chickens and various other livestock. He always had a few horses for his grandchildren to ride around the pasture. They had a large garden they tended for their needs as well as a few dairy cows they milked. Alfred was a successful farmer and rancher, known by many as hardworking and honest.
In 1984, at the age of 72, Alfred "retired" from farming and ranching. He and Helen moved to Sulphur where they began to pursue a new interest--trail riding. With his mules and the covered wagon he maintained, they were active in the Southwest Organized Wagon Train and participated in many trail rides. Alfred and Helen participated in a six month drive during the Texas Sesquicentennial which toured the state of Texas. They also participated in the Oklahoma Land Run Ride Centennial (1889-1989) at Norman. They were members of First Baptist Church in Sulphur.
Alfred contracted cancer in 1990 and, through the help of his children, Tommy and Elaine, and his grandson, Scott Dinger, fought this disease valiantly and with dignity. He died Thursday, Dec. 5, 1991 in Ardmore. His funeral will be held Sunday, Dec. 8, 1991 at 1:30 pm at the Clagg Funeral Chapel in Sulphur, conducted by Rev. Eddie Malphrus. He will be buried next to his wife, Helen, at the Fort Cobb Cemetery in Fort Cobb, that same day at 4:00 pm.
Alfred S. Walker is survived by his daughter, Ruby Elaine Schlipf, of Nicoma Park and his son, Tommy Lewis Walker of Dallas. Additional survivors are his brother, Willie Wayne Walker of Baker, Ca; two sisters, Ifa "Chick" Thomas of Downey, Ca., and Lottie Canary of OKC. Alfred is survived by four grandchildren, Carl Swain Dinger of OKC, Scott Wayne Dinger of Sulphur, Sabrin Walker Drewry of San Antonio, and David Craig Walker of Dallas. Additionally, he is survived by seven great grandchildren, Hannah Dinger of Sulphur, Lauren Stuckey Drewry and Michael Walker Drewry of San Antonio, Brittany Rae Walker, Zachary Chase Walker, Abbie Shae Walker and Cody Colton Walker of Dallas.
The family of Alfred Swain Walker appreciates your support and prayers during his illness. The family requests that any memorials or contributions in Alfred's memory be made to the American Cancer Society or the Crosstimbers Hospice in Ardmore.