WALTER L. STARKE

In the early morning hours of March 6, 2021 God spoke – took Walter’s hand and led him into His Heavenly Mansion.

From Walter’s cousin and sibling Regina Brown: Our parents, the late Edison and Thelma Brown, welcomed their 6th old and his siblings called him “cotton” because he looked like a cotton ball with an adorable face. Walter had no muscle tone or reflexes. The doctors informed our parents that he was a vegetable that would never, walk or live to see his teenage years. Our parents refused to accept this and throughout each and every day they would exercise his legs, arms and taught him to stand. Before long Walter was sliding across the floors, then walking, talking, running, feeding himself, going to the bathroom by himself and doing everything the rest of us were doing. Walter attended a specialized school in Westhampton, NY. He was picked up by the school bus just like the rest of his siblings. A normal happy childhood. Walter always loved to vacuum, sing and his favorite hobby was “EATING” especially hamburgers, fries and soda. He affectionately called our parents mommy and daddy & they loved him until they both transitioned Home. Walter was a vital part of our family, and we were honored to have him as
our little brother. On behalf of Walters’s siblings, myself (Regina) our brother Roger and sisters, Ivy, Barbara and Thelma we extend our gratitude and appreciation to Walter’s extended Texas Family Velica, Hector and family and Marsha Culpepper. From our love of Walter to you –

From Dr. Velica (Val) Calvert: In 1989 Walter moved to San Antonio with his mom, whom he called Barbara. Barbara had transferred from New York to the San Antonio branch of IBM.
They met Dr. Velica (Val) Calvert, who also worked at IBM and immediately became part of her San Antonio family. Walter was very kind and would always say, “I’m happy.” He never
let Down Syndrome define who he was. At first, he worked at Goodwill, and after a while he started going to Day Hab at the Unicorn Center and would always say that he helped out. He
would always make sure his area was clean. To get to the Day Hab each day, Walter would take VIA-Trans and was loved by his bus driver. He loved music and in addition to Speech
Therapy he also took guitar lessons.

Dr. Calvert was so impressed with Walter she made them part of her holiday celebrations. They came every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There had to be extra drumsticks
because Walter required a whole drumstick, not to be shared with anyone. He always got his wish. After dinner he loved to have dessert and coffee. After taking guardianship of Walter
and his mom he was cared for by Liz and Charles House. Dr. Calvert would pick Walter up to spend time with him, and the first thing he would ask was if they were going to get
hamburgers. Walter loved hamburgers, French fries, and coke. Walter was a Christian and loved to go to church and sing.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Barbara Mayo Foster, and Edison and Thelma Brown. 

He leaves to cherish his memory: his siblings Regina, Roger (Jacqueline), Ivy, Barbara, Thelma (Roosevelt). His San Antonio family: Dr. Velica (Val) Calvert) (Husband Rev. Hector
Grant), Sonya St. Cyr (Shannon), Commissioner Tommy R. Calvert, Jr., and a host of friends in New York & Texas.