Homegoing Services Program for Buford Rice "Sonny" Walker - June 21, 2021

Celebrating The Life of

BUFORD RICE “SONNY” WALKER

Homegoing Services: Monday, June 21, 2021 11:00 am PDT St. Paul’s Catholic Church 1920 South Bronson Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90018 323-730-9490 The Right Reverend Alexei Smith, Celebrant Rev. John Cager, III, Cooperating Clergy Services will be live streamed via Facebook

Celebrating The Life of BUFORD RICE “SONNY” WALKER

Order of Service Family gathers. Priest presents urn to family to carry into sanctuary.

PROCESSIONAL Hymn – Family enters WELCOME: The Right Reverend Alexei Smith, Celebrant REMARKS: Congresswoman Maxine Waters, 43rd District – US House of Representatives

The Honorable Eric Garcetti, 42nd Mayor – City of Los Angeles

Bishop Frank M. Reid, III, Ecumenical Officer/3rd Episcopal District, AME Church PRAYER:

Rev. John E. Cager, III

LITURGY OF THE WORD: (New American translation) READING (Old Testament): Book of Wisdom, Chapter 3:1 – 6, 9

Mr. Grover Walker

Responsive Psalm Sung: “Ave Maria”

Mrs. Norma Cook

READING (New Testament): I Thessalonians 4:13 – 18

Mr. Robert Campbell

The GOSPEL – John 11:32 – 45 HOMILY: Hymn for Presentation of Gifts “My Soul Is Anchored In The Lord”

Father Alexei Smith Mr. Greg Walker

LITURGY of the EUCHARIST with Communion Hymn (medley of hymns) Mr. Dorian Holley Obituary (to be read silently as it is read aloud) REMARKS (2 minutes each)

Acknowledgments and Resolutions Prayer of Commendation RECESSIONAL: after Urn returned to the family

Carl Phillips Greg Brown Beverly Neyland John Thomas, III Rhonda Payne Dr. Dorothy Vails Weber

Honoring the Life Journey of Buford Rice “Sonny” Walker

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uford Rice “Sonny” Walker entered this life on May 12, 1939, Mother’s Day weekend, and entered eternal life on June 5, 2021. He tarried on this earthly journey for 82 years and 25 days. Born in Chicago, IL (Southside); raised in Kansas City, MO; and then living 60 years in Los Angeles, CA. Over that period, Buford Rice “Sonny” Walker embraced God’s mission for his life, wasted no time, and tapped into every opportunity to leave this world better than when he emerged at birth. The first of four children born to Rice Walker and Vernell Crawford Walker, and a lifelong Catholic, he was confirmed in 1947 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and during his youth, served as an altar boy.

Buford attended Corpus Christi Elementary in Chicago before the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated from Bishop Hogan High School.

A dedicated and talented athlete, he was awarded a full scholarship to St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa.

Other credentials include certification for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counselor–Acton Rehabilitation Center–Acton, CA; and California Peace Officer Service & Training certification.

“Sonny” retired as Director of Government Relations – So. Calif. Water Replenishment District (2003–2004). His career included service as Chief Operations Officer–State of California–Exposition Park (1989–2002) and co-founder of Curator Kids at the California Science Center that served children from the Watts community. He also worked as Director of Project BUILD, an empowerment program for residents of Watts, was self-employed as founding VP of DART, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program; was a Counselor/Chief Therapist–CompCare Corp.

– View Park location; served as Deputy Director of Administrative Services for The Wagon Program at Central City Community Mental Health Center; was a Counselor for Sugar Ray Youth Foundation; and Counselor/Supervising Teacher at Headstart in Nickerson Gardens.

“Sonny” kept any audience spell-bound with stories of his ‘street light’ basketball games in the alleys of the Southside of Chicago, advocating for Black athletes on Kansas City courts, cultural and racial isolation in Iowa bergs, being drafted to the Kansas City Bulls (precursor to the Chicago Bulls) and Harlem Globetrotters bus road trips. “Beavo,” as he was known in KC, was voted into All Stars in Catholic schools, and first team for All City Catholic League All Stars. Yes, basketball was both his vocation and avocation, which made him an avid reader of the sports page. Later he read the daily newspapers to stay up on current news to also share with his wife so that she would not go out into the world, as he said, uninformed. He loved traveling to new places and returning to old landmarks. Memorable was a vacation to Bermuda, his honeymoon spot, with some of their adult children, where new bonds were formed, and a special trip with three grandchildren, who were high school graduates of the class of 2000, to South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia to help them see the world through the lens of their African heritage. Grandpa also went on a Fact Finding journey to check

on his daughter, son-in-law and three grands who would spend five years in their father’s homeland, Ife-Nigeria, to have a bi-cultural experience. When he showed at family gatherings, or in response to any invitation, that event became “special” because he never minced words and knew how to say “no” leaving little room for negotiation or debate.

Recognized for his no-nonsense advocacy, Speaker Willie Brown appointed Mr. Walker to serve on the California State Legislature Advisory Board on Alcohol Related Problems 1982–1993.

Other Honors and Awards include: Community Service Proclamation–City of Santa Monica for assisting to find adoptive homes for youngsters in the foster care system; Bi-Centennial Salute Proclamation for meritorious services in the City of LA Award – Human Relations Commission; National Advocate Certificate – Alcoholism Council of Greater Los Angeles; National Council of Negro Women – Black Family Reunion organizer; LA Marathon certificate for support; California Science Center award for outstanding service; Notre Dame Football Association Key Advocate; 1 Dad trophy–Buford Walker Clan.

“Sonny” was proud of his role in helping to launch the “Sons of Watts” after the 1965 LA/Watts Riots and his membership in the Black Panthers. Creating solutions, rather than dwelling on problems was key as he worked to make South Central Los Angeles equal to other communities in LA County. Nothing was more important than inspiring young people, especially Black youth to strive in spite of lower expectations of society, and being a role model to those seeking a second chance.

Welcoming him into eternity are his father and mother – Rice and Vernell Walker, sister Volandia Adu-Neal, and son, Vincent Walker. He bade “so long” to a host who, while continuing their journey, will cherish his memory and remember his wise counsel: his wife of 43 years, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker; seven children in a wonderfully blended family – Brenda Kaye Walker Winston, Reginald Rice Walker (Sylvia), Buford Rice “Chuck” Walker, Jr. (Louise Rosario Torrices), Raymond Cornell Walker (Karen), Stephanie Denise Williams, Kamela Heyward-Rotimi (Bankole), and Jesse Brown, III; Daughter-in-love Zoletia Sherrie; 24 grandchildren – Rodger Duran Winston, Jimmesha Winston Lenhoff (Scott), Sylvia Winston Nichols (Chester), Dwayne Eric Walker (Luckevia), David Reginald Walker (J. Angelique), Renee Monique Harris, Kristen Gabrielle Walker, Jordan Christian Torrices Walker, Jaiden Christian Torrices Walker, Brandon A. Williams, Kolawole Philip Heyward-Rotimi, Karina Jacquelyn Heyward-Rotimi, Kemi Solomon Heyward-Rotimi, Obadyah Ariel Brown, Jonah B. Canfield, Kimberly Walker Sporleder, Wayne Walker, Colby Walker, Michael Walker, Nicolas Walker,

Joshua J. Walker, Rachel Walker, D’Mitri Walker, Julian Ramon Walker (Alexandria); 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Grover Pullium Walker and Daniel Arthur Walker; sisters-in-love Huette Dupont Higgs (Cecil) and Janey Dupont; aunts, cousins, nieces/ nephews and global extended family.

Adopted family members are Robert “Bob” Campbell, Robin Nicholas, and Richard Glen Hines.

Just a few days ago, we observed our front porch cactus – that we’ve known as the “Sonny cactus” with 10 buds. It is important to share that it only blooms at night, every 3–5 years. With these buds ready to bloom, we rejoiced, and receive this wonder as a spiritual sign that all is well with its namesake “Sonny.”

There is no doubt in our lives, that God is in charge which gives us peace of mind that passes all understanding. We thank God for the time we had with Buford Rice “Sonny” Walker on earth and look forward to eternity.

Honorary Pallbearers Grover Pullium Walker, Daniel Arthur Walker, Cleveland Walker, J. D. Hogan, Leonard Hogan, Billy Fraizier, Cecil Fred Higgs, Sr., Reginald Rice Walker, Buford Rice Walker, Raymond Cornell Walker, Bankole Heyward-Rotimi, Jesse Brown, III, Roger Duran Winston, Scott Lenhoff, Chester Nichols, Dwayne Eric Walker, David Reginald Walker, Jordan Christian Torrices Walker, Jaiden Christian Torrices Walker, Brandon Ariel Williams, Kolawole Philip Heyward-Rotimi, Kemi Solomon Heyward-Rotimi, Obadyah Ariel Brown, Jonah B Canfield, Wayne Walker, Colby Walker, Michael Walker, Nicolas Walker, Joshua Walker, D’Mitri Walker, Julian Ramon Walker, Cecil Fred Higgs, Jr., Cedric Higgs, Nathaniel Dupont, Jr, Ernest Dupont, Jr., Darren Dupont, Brandon Dupont, Larry Norton The family appreciates all expressions of love and condolence and requests plants for Sonny’s garden or donations for King Solomon’s Village (WEDC’s community in development for homeless/houseless residents in the 9th Council District, City of Los Angeles).

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children – Isaiah 54:13

Expressions of Condolences can be sent to: Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker 1621 Wellington Road Los Angeles, California 90019 323-734-7856 – home jdupontw@aol.com Repast – Drive-By Grab N’ Go: Proceed from St. Paul, west on Washington Blvd. to Crenshaw Blvd.

Turn right toward Venice Blvd for one block to St. Charles Place. Turn left onto St. Charles Place and proceed two-blocks to Wellington Rd. Turn right. Walker home – 1621 is on the left.

Sonny and Jackie “Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.” – Vincent Van Gogh I will always love you, my darling Sonny!

Birthday Celebration – May 2021 A sweet friendship refreshes the soul .

– Proverbs 27:9

Thank you for giving me such a vibrant community of friends and family to do life with! I am grateful for all the ones who have come alongside me to love, encourage, support, and uplift me through all the twists and turns of life. I pray that my presence remain in your hearts.

Loving care makes a difference. Thanks to Richard Glen Hines, who related as son to father, the staff of Cedars-Sinai Hospital and “Sonny’s” faithful/protective medical team including Dr. David Lalezari, Dr. Kamran Matin, Dr. Victor Gura, and Dr. Olu Oredugba.