Dennis “Moe” Walker
Dennis “Moe” Walker, 90, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Moe was born on February 23, 1934 as the youngest boy of nine children to Ballard Ira and Luvernia Walker in Knoxville. Dropping out of high school to support his family, Moe earned his GED while serving in the U.S. Army as a medic in Korea, just after the Korean War, returning home in 1958. Soon after his arrival, he began courting Patsy Evans, whom he married in April 1959. Moe and Pat went on to have three children, Jeff, Chris, and Scott.
Moe worked a variety of jobs through the years, as a delivery boy, dock worker, chemical plant worker, and materials purchaser for a mining equipment manufacturer, before going back to school on the GI Bill to get his electrician’s license. Upon graduation, he worked as an electrician with Comer Electric in Morristown on several large projects. With Pat’s full support (or perhaps pushing), Moe eventually started his own electrical contracting business, Walker’s Electric Service, where he did residential and commercial electrical work for about 20 years.
Moe never met a stranger and was an honest, trustworthy man. Many of his clients would leave him the keys to their home while they were out working. Quick-witted, he was always willing to share a laugh with friends and strangers alike. If you knew Moe, you loved him. Period. There isn’t another side to him … just a man everyone loved.
Moe appreciated the simple things in life. He was never too busy to stop and look at a hawk flying overhead, or to send pictures of the large tomatoes he had grown. He loved gardening and always planted a garden with vegetables and flowers he had grown from seed. He was proud of his blackberry jelly, which he would give away to friends and family. He loved to take others blackberry picking or bird watching. If you dropped by his house, he and Pat would fix you a cup of coffee and invite you to come in and stay awhile. He knew a little bit about everything, whether you were fixing your dryer, or laying brick, or hanging a ceiling fan…he could give you sage advice.
Moe didn’t like to stay in one place for too long…even home, so he and Pat routinely would get up and fix a picnic to take to the mountains, or Norris Dam, or Cove Lake. He was always up for a trip…the destination really didn’t matter. He enjoyed the journey and all the things you’d see along the way.
Moe and Pat have always been extraordinarily proud of their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, often telling people how blessed they were and how they didn’t really understand why they were blessed so much. They supported them in every step of their journeys and always loved unconditionally.
Moe’s attitude is one that we could all learn from. He never worried…about anything really. He knew the Lord was in control and that worrying wouldn’t change anything. He was always positive and you really never heard him complain. Even when you would ask him how he was doing over the past couple of years as his health declined…he would always reply “I think I’m feeling a little better today.” ALWAYS – which made it hard to tell how he was really doing.
Moe trusted in Christ as His Lord and Savior from an early age and his life demonstrated his love for Jesus. He could be counted on to give counsel or a word from scripture whenever the need arose. He knew the Bible well, but he knew Jesus even more. He followed the teachings of his savior, who said “Love your neighbor as yourself.” He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville.
We really can’t think of a better dad than our dad. He’s always been our hero and all three of us brothers have always wanted to be like him. We’ll never ever forget the amazing love and support he gave us his whole life. We will always think of him when we see a pretty bird or an organized vegetable garden. We’ll always want to call him when something has gone wrong with the house. We’ll want to feel his hug when we arrive at his home or when we’re about to go. We’ll always want to share a good story or joke with him. One day, we’ll be able to do all these things again, but we’ll have to wait awhile. Thank you for reading this far…it means a lot to us.
Moe was preceded in death by his parents, Ballard and Luvernia Walker, as well as all of his siblings – Paul, Jay, Junior, and Claude Walker, Onilee Haun, Juanita Sexton, Mildred Coley, and Norma Haun. He was also predeceased by his half-siblings, Ward Walker, Ada Miller, Verlie Peebly, and Chloe Moses. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patsy Walker, and their children, Jeff (Karen), Chris (Patti), and Scott (Tisha). He also leaves behind eight grandchildren – Jacob, Caleb, Natalie, Anna, Evan, Noah, Jonah, and Micah Walker. Moe was also extremely close to Pat’s family, where he is predeceased by Bob Evans, Mary Rollins, June Miller, and Brenda Lands and survived by John Miller, Linda and Ken Beeler, Joy Bennett, and Glenda Lyons. He is also survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members.
Visitation will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville, on Friday, May 3, from 1-3 p.m., with a service immediately following.
Arrangements are being taken care of by Weaver Funeral Home.
Dennis “Moe” Walker