Hugh's News & Commentary

I had asked Dr. Lonnie Rex of Spring, TX, to write a report on the funeral service for Dr. Jerry B. Walker. I have known Lonnie Rex since 1954 when I was a young Marine at Quantico, VA, and the Marine Band there. We attended the National Pentecostal Holiness Church in Washington DC. Here is what he wrote and was published in Hugh's News in December 2006:

Jerry's secretary of many years, Linda Hull, carried the responsibility of planning the service with director, Rev. Mark Bristow, Steven Walker Hand, Jeffery Tyler Boles, and Chris Adams. They were assisted by Rev. Gerald Campbell, Missionary to Malawi, Africa. Jerry B. Walker Association has sponsored him for many years. Many will remember him as Jerry's bus driver and Sound man for 15 years.

Rev. Ronnie Rae, Missionary to the Philippines, who the Association has sponsored for years, was also visiting with everyone. It was in God's providence that both missionaries were home at this time.

People were there from many States: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, California, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Africa, Holland, Philippines and many cities of Texas.

I looked up and saw David and Rita Flora, Missionaries to Holland, who just flew to Houston after hearing of Jerry's passing. They have known and loved Uncle Jerry for so many years.

It would be impossible to give the names of all, but I want to give a few:

Bishop Curtis and Jo Baker, IPHC, Texas Conference, Revs. Malcolm and Sulynn Burton, IPHC pastors in Houston, Rev John Hedgepeth of IPHC Northwood Temple, Bob DeAndrea, Christian TV Network, Clearwater, FL. Mrs. W. V. Grant, Dallas, Rev. Arman and Dee Stephens, Oklahoma City, Pastor Freddie Riggs, Bardstorm, Kentucky, Dr. and Mrs. Donald Frazier of South Carolina. Virgil and Martha Mott and Virgil Jr. and Tammy Mott, Houston, Dodie Osteen (mother of Rev. Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Houston), Brent Rae, Houston, Mark Stevens, Oklahoma City, Rev. Phillip Baker, Dickenson, TX., Dylan, Arnold and Susan Smith, New Iberia, LA., S. Hanna, Louisville, KY. Joan Hunter (daughter of the "Happy Hunters"), Houston, Peter Kwan, M.D, Houston, and Dr. Jimmy Cox.

The flowers surrounding in Chapel were so beautiful, Jerry would have been delighted. One beautiful spray, I noticed was from Rev. Hilton Sutton.

My wife, Betty and I have known Jerry B. since he was in the Air Force, and was the Youth Director, fifty years ago, for Mildred Wicks in Austin, Texas. We had the pleasure to play the instruments for his many great Crusades in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Evangelistic Temple.

He has been in our home many times and we have been in his. Sunday afternoon, before he passed, I spent the afternoon with him. We talked of old times. He reminded me that my father, Rev. Dr. Robert L. Rex, ordained him to the ministry of the PH Church almost fifty-one years ago and my father's signature is on his Ordination Certificate.

He told me Sunday, he felt he did not have long to live and wanted me to do some things for him in preparation of his death. I was so shocked when the telephone call came Thursday of his passing. He died peacefully at his home in Sugar Land, TX.

Betty and I lost a dear friend and it was hard to say "GOODBYE" with his many friends. We will miss him. I write this as a tribute to him.

Lonnie Rex

He spoke many times with Kathryn Kuhlman in the FGBMFI Conventions.

[Editor's Note: Lonnie Rex is listed in the 100 most influential writers in 2006. I am honored to have him as a friend and grateful to him for writing this magnificent story of Jerry B. Walker's funeral. He does it with class and dignity. He knows just about everybody. The list of people at the funeral is like a Who's Who in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles. Lonnie Rex was the founder and CEO of the David Livingstone Foundation.]

Will you receive the Benediction?

Revelation 14:13
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
KJV