Landon Tarther Walker

Landon Tarther Walker, better known as “LT” was born on July 11, 1949 to Asa and Pauline Walker in Champaign, IL.

LT received his formal education in Urbana Public Schools where he graduated from Urbana High School in 1967. LT remained in the Champaign-Urbana area upon completion of his education and retired from JM Jones (Super Value).

LT married Patricia “Ann” in June of 1984.

He loved playing softball wearing #44 after Hank Aaron and Reggie Jackson and wearing white Converse baseball cleats and coached the Walker Brothers Softball team at Douglass Park. L.T. loved shopping at the grocery store, attending local events, sitting in the back yard listening to variety of music (e.g., Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock & Roll and R&B) reminiscing on some of Mo-Town’s greats while eating pork skins and watching Illinois football or basketball games, MLB games rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, watching Family Feud, and hosting his family and friends that he loved so dearly.  LT never met a stranger, would always feed you, and would not give up the remote control to the television unless he was sound asleep from having one too many.   

Additionally, LT joined and became a member of St. Luke CME Church where he was a dedicated member and served on the Usher Board and coached the youth for the Annual Black History Quiz.

L.T. had a generous heart. He has given away countless amounts of money and bottles of very expensive cologne after using the bottles only once.  He would give away everything he had if he could.  

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Patricia (“Tricia” as he would call her); daughters Ayanna McKenzie of Paducah, KY and Robbin Smith of Atlanta, GA; sons Lamar (Yvette) Walker, Landon (Tasha) Walker Jr., Phillip (Laurie) Smith, Corey Smith all of Champaign, IL, and Bishop Byron L. (Jill) Smith of Los Angeles, CA; three brothers, Jerry Walker of Champaign, IL, James (Deborah) Walker of Los Angeles, CA, Danny (Victoria) Walker of Kyle, TX; four sisters, Dorothy Jamerson of Urbana, IL, Arthalia (Eddie) Rogers of Champaign, IL, Fronnie Echols of Harvey, IL, and Diane (Marvin) Johnson of Chicago, IL, 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Asa and Pauline Walker and son Jason Damian Walker.

A Homegoing Celebration will commence at 11:00 am Saturday April 15, 2023 at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 1601 W. Bloomington Rd, Champaign. Eulogist: Bishop Byron Smith.

A visitation will be held at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 1215 W. Bradley Ave, Urbana Friday April 14, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

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