Charles Russell Walker

Charles "Russell" Walker

83, a resident of the Bethel Grove Community near Farmington, Arkansas, went to be with his Lord in Heaven at 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 2005 at home surrounded by his family. He was born December 5, 1921 at Cane Hill, Arkansas, the son of Arnie and Violet Ferguson Walker.

Russell?s dad was a farmer, producing apples and tomatoes on the hill above Fly Creek. Russell began school there. His father was killed in an accident. His mother and four children moved in with Arnie?s sister Buena and Jack Stevens in Viney Grove for a year where he attended 2nd grade. Violet took the two oldest children, Lee 10 and Russell 8 back to Cane Hill. Russell was soon struck with genetic bone disease. He was told he would not walk again, but the next year he returned to school on crutches. Russell learned responsibility early in life and went to work for Shaker Yates at age 12. He worked for $.05 per hour doing general farm chores, milking, carrying water to the steam thrasher, and pulling weeds. Mr. Yates put him to work in his Mercantile in Cane Hill the next year. The Yates were among the first in the area to have a car so Mrs. Yates taught Russell how to drive. After getting his license he drove the delivery truck for the Mercantile up to the Cove Creek area. Russell?s brother Lee asked him to drive his car to California for him, so he and a friend did. While in California he held odd jobs until he could get on at the Firestone Tire Co. Soon after getting a job there he was drafted into the United States Army in the Pacific Rim in the 122nd station hospital unit. He was in the South Pacific for three years. He was honorably discharged January 1946. Upon returning to the States he went to Watch Making School in Kansas City, MO.

During a visit to his Aunt Buena in Prairie Grove he met a young high school girl who was renting a room from her so she could go to Prairie Grove High School. Betty Ruth Neal was the perfect girl for him! They dated for two years and were married January 12, 1948. Russell and Betty Ruth moved to Susanville, CA where he worked in the timber. Larry was born in November. Russell served his country as a Reservist and was called back into active duty during the Korean Conflict where he served state side as a Sargent training men to go to Korea. Don was born in AR during this time. Betty and boys returned to California when Russell was discharged. Candes was born the next year in California. Russell continued to work in the timber. In the cold winter months he worked for Mr. Crown?s Jewelry store in Susanville. The little family had just moved to Orland when Betty?s father was in an automobile accident and they decided to move back to Arkansas to help her mother. They bought the farm they live on in 1955 six months after Barbara was born.

Russell worked as a farmer, carpenter, and a U of A physical plant employee where he retired. He was a member of the Farmington Baptist Church. He was a Veteran of Foreign Wars, serving in 122nd Station Hospital in World War II, both in the South Pacific then the Korean Conflict. Russell was a member of the Masonic Lodge 436, and American Legion Post 146. He and Betty organized the Bethel Grove 4-H club and were very involved in the lives of their children and other young people for many years. They were the Sheep superintendent at the Washington County Fair for many years and organized the Market Lambs in the AR State Fair.

He leaves behind a family who loved him very much and appreciates all he taught them. Included are his wife of fifty-seven years, Betty Ruth Neal Walker of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law?s Larry and BeAnn Walker of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Donald and Sheroll Walker of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two daughters and sons-in-law?s Candes and Jim Wilson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Barbara and Clay Woody of Farmington, Arkansas; three brothers, Lee Walker of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Paul Walker of Orland, California, and Ray Braly of Lincoln, Arkansas; two sisters, Vinita Edmond of Kansas City, Missouri, and Gay Patterson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; nine grand children, Doug, Brian, Eric, and Jessica Walker, David Wilson, Laura Caplena, Jeremy, Kara, and Andrew Woody; ten great grandchildren; and one double cousin, Una Dell Hester of Fort Smith, Arkansas.