Charles Howard ";Chuck" Walker Jr., 53, of East Helena, a chemical dependency counselor at the Fort Harrison V.A. Center, passed away Aug. 7, 2009, at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena.

Chuck was born on March 14, 1956, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Charles Howard Walker Sr. and Carroll (Woodworth) Walker. He graduated from Chickasha High School in 1974 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1977 as an operating room technician. He attended the N.Y. Institute of Photography in 1983. He received his B.A. in Behavioral Sciences, from the University of New Hampshire in 1984. Chuck also earned his M.A. Human Resources Development from Webster University in 1989 and earned his doctorate of theology from the Louisiana Baptist University 2007. He met and then married Cherri L. Vinyard, and they enjoyed many happy times together before his passing.

Chuck graduated from U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in 1985 and specialized in chemical dependency counseling until his retirement at the rank of captain in 1992. He was employed at Boyd Andrew Counseling Center twice between the years of 1994 and 2008, and pastored at Maranatha Baptist Church between 1998 and 2008.

His hobbies included fishing, hunting, photography, gardening and computers, and he attended Friendship Baptist Church between 2008 and 2009, before his death.

Chuck is preceded in death by his father, Charles Howard Walker Sr. of Oklahoma City.

He is survived by his wife, Cherri L. Walker of East Helena; children, Brian D. Walker (Sara) of Helena, and Alecia (Ryan) M. Veach of Baumholder, Germany; a foster daughter, Desiree' West; his mother, Carroll Walker of Oklahoma City; a brother, Dalton Walker (Paulette) of Auckland, New Zealand; and a sister, Charlene Radfar (Al) of Edmond, Okla. He is also survived by three grandchildren; seven nephews; and two nieces.

A funeral service is scheduled for noon, Thursday, Aug. 13, at Lifepoint Church, 2526 Lake Helena Drive in East Helena with viewing to start at 11 a.m. to service time at the church.

Burial with military honors is set for 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home.