“He was on top of the world,” said his wife, Debbie. Ernest Walker had a medical episode and died while driving home after feeding the homeless.
DALLAS — Ernest Walker was known to many in the DFW community for his civic and nonprofit work. His death on Tuesday resonated throughout the community.
Walker was well known as a champion of the underdog.
“I wish there were more people like Ernest,” said Pastor Dennis Webb of Bear Creek Community Church.
Walker suffered a seizure while driving home on Tuesday. He was on the phone with Debbie, his wife of 28 years.
“His voice changed, and all I heard was the phone going off,” Debbie said.
Walker was a disabled veteran, pastor, activist, and volunteer with the Patriot Guard and American Black Cross. But most notably, he was a husband and father of eight children.
“We lost half the fire so it's really tough,” Debbie said.
Ernest was returning home after feeding the homeless in Irving. He spent his last three hours helping people.
“That's the path I want to go,” said Brian Burns, who joined the effort to distribute meals to the homeless in Irving on Tuesday. “We hugged each other right there and by the time we left…we were like brothers.”
Burns, who is also a motorcyclist, said all future Patriot Guard memorial rides will be in his honor. As many who knew Ernest know, he never really saw a stranger. He met with Pastor Dennis Webb three weeks ago and asked for 50 blankets for the homeless.
“The next day, an 18-wheeler showed up with 400 or 500 blankets,” the pastor said.
But no one knew Ernest like Debbie. She married a man who, like herself, had a service-minded spirit. Debbie told WFAA that even though she feels a loss, she feels at peace.
“He was on top of the world,” Debbie said.
“It was better to know for three weeks than not know at all,” Webb said.
