BLOOMFIELD – T.J. Walker (Terry) (85) of Bloomfield passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025 at Kirksville Osteopathic Medical Center. He was born May 9, 1939 to Walter Guy Walker and Georgia Jewell Fouts Walker in Ottumwa, Iowa. T. J. grew up in Pulaski most of his childhood and he and his family moved from Pulaski to Bloomfield when he was a Jr in high school where he graduated in the class of ‘57. T.J. then enlisted in the Navy and served 4 years in peacetime from 1957-1961. He later enlisted in the Army National Guard. While in the Navy, he traveled to many different places around the world. He was given the opportunity to serve aboard the USS Dewey which was a new ship that carried President Kenndey’s Good Will Tour. T.J. was a member of the Elks Club.
T.J. married Jane Ann Johnson in July of 1959. In that union were 5 children. Julie Presley (Tony Winkler) of McCallsburg, IA, Lissa (Doug) Jarr of Bloomfield, IA, Vallerie Roberts, Mia Walker of Windsor Heights, IA and Ty (Diane Colton) Walker of West Grove, IA. T.J. and Jane Ann later divorced and he then married Lee Lynn in April 1983. Lee passed away in 2007. T.J. and Lee moved from Wapello County to Goldfield, Colorado in 1984 where he lived until he retired in 2017 and returned to Bloomfield in 2019.
T.J. had several places of employment over his long life. He worked in a clothing store prior to his military service and then once discharged he worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, IA. When T.J. and his family moved to Bloomfield, he was employed by Spilman Auto Parts for 14 years driving a truck. He worked for Hormel in Ottumwa, he bartended at the American Legion in Bloomfield and Orville’s Restaurant and Lounge. He and Jane Ann owned and operated T.J.’s Café on the north side of the Bloomfield square. In Colorado he and Lee owned and operated a small café named The Sugarplum. T.J. went to work for the gold mine in Cripple Creek, CO where he worked for 25 years.
He is survived by four of his five children, eight grandchildren Zane Presley of Nevada, IA, Danni (Joe) Halbrook of Slater, IA, Mistie Casiano of Boone, IA, Aaron (Rachel) Jarr of Cedar Rapids, IA, Logan (Jenny) Jarr of Moulton, IA, Troy Roberts of Indianola, IA, Dakota (Shaylene Hickle) Meadows of Dallas Center, IA, Trevor (Hailey) Walker of Bloomfield, Bayle (Brady Fenton) Walker of Ottumwa, IA. Fifteen great grandchildren , Leigha (Bryce) Walker, of Nevada, IA, Ali and Javi Casiano of Boone, IA, Charlotte and Kennedy Jarr of Cedar Rapids, IA, Maverick Jarr of Moulton, IA, Ryder Roberts residing in South Carolina, Phoebe, Fiona, Forrest, and Henry Meadows of Dallas Center, IA, Tyce Walker and Karter Banks of Bloomfield, IA, Layken and Jagger Fenton of Ottumwa and 3 great-great grandchildren. Theo, Indi and Tobi Walker of Nevada, IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents Guy and Georgia, his wife Lee, his daughter Vallerie, his brother Larry Walker and sister-n-law Wanda Archer Walker, and grandson Connor Presley.
Family and friends are invited to join a Celebration of Life at the Davis County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from noon-2:00 p.m., with a light meal being served. Please bring your stories and fondest memories of T.J. to share. A graveside service will be planned for a later date for family and close friends.
T.J. was passionate about the Wounded Warrior Project which is where a memorial will be established along with the American Heart Association. Donations can be sent to Wagler Funeral Home or left with the family at the Celebration of Life.
