z2022 Local Honorees for Nacogdoches

2022 Local Honorees for Nacogdoches

Trooper Chad Walker

Multiple Organ Donor

Groesbeck, TX

Chad Michael Walker was born May 21, 1982 in Corsicana, Texas. He grew up in Groesbeck, graduating from Groesbeck High School in 2000 and from Navarro College Police Academy in 2003 as his class Valedictorian.

He loved anything outdoors – hunting, fishing, his cows, and his kids were a pleasure to Chad. He grew up helping his grandfather, Dennis, with cattle and was proud of his own Beefmaster herd. Chad was very involved in community activities in both Limestone and Freestone counties and was on the Limestone County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

Chad began a career in law enforcement in 2003 at Athens Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Groesbeck Police Department, and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. He joined the Department of Public Safety in 2015 and was stationed in Groesbeck.

Chad was joined as one, to be married for life, with Tobie Taylor Walker in September, 2018. They lived in Groesbeck with their four children Ethan, twin daughters Rylee and Charlee, and newborn daughter, Tulsa June. Chad was a Christian, worshiping at Living Proof Church in Groesbeck.

After Chad’s life of service to his family, friends, and the public, he gave the ultimate gift through the donation of his organs to help keep others alive. The Department of Public Safety said in a statement, “This final sacrifice embodies Trooper Walker’s actions throughout his life and service as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper.”

Trooper Walker will be honored at each local event along the 2022 Lone Star Route.

Tyler Jensen

Organ Recipient

Tyler Jensen first admitted to the hospital in Houston on January 7th, 2022, with what the doctors were calling cellulitis. After lab and diagnostic tests, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. After three weeks in the hospital, he was told that the liver was not functioning and without a liver transplant he would survive only three months.

At first, he was told was not a candidate for a liver transplant, but was later accepted to Methodist Hospital in Dallas to be evaluated for a transplant. After one week of treatment and evaluation, he was approved to be listed for a donor liver. Tyler was listed on March 7th and three days later, received the liver of a beautiful twenty-three-year-old young lady who saved his life.

This was an emotional situation for our family as we were so happy that he received this life saving gift, however, felt such heartache for this wonderful young lady’s family. We were very fortunate that he received this gift of another chance at life so quickly as he was very ill and without it may not be here with us today. The doctors and nurses at Methodist Hospital in Dallas were absolutely a God sent to us during this process and continue to take excellent care of Tyler. This experience has shown that not only is God good but so are his children.

Please everyone sign-up to be a donor and encourage all your family and friends to do so also. You never know when it could be you or your family who needs this gift.

Malerie Corman

Organ Donor

Malerie Corman was an 8th grader at Central Heights Middle School with high hopes of becoming a veterinarian. She was described as a “one of a kind” young lady that “could always make you smile and laugh by picking at you.” She loved her family and friends fiercely and her hugs will forever be missed.

Malerie loved all animals with horses being her favorite. Malerie also loved to cook and bake, even memorizing how to make the family chicken ‘n dumplings recipe and proudly would make them on her own. She was always in the kitchen helping cook for a family feast.

Malerie would spend long summer nights with her big sister Katie-Rae making pancakes, mixing and freezing random things, Face Timing friends, and watching TV. She could crack the best jokes and would play practical jokes when she got the chance. She adamantly hated bugs, especially spiders and bees, blue jeans and shopping.

Leslie and Lexie Nichols

Blood Recipient and supporter

Leslie Nichols is a blood donor and chairperson for the Cushion High School blood drives. This is important to her because she knows first-hand the difference a simple blood donation can make.

Leslie’s daughter, Lexie, was two and half years old she was diagnosed with leukemia. Lexie was under treatments for about two and half years including numerous blood transfusions.

Leslie said, “She had about 21 units of blood and platelets total. On December 27th, a couple of days after Christmas, and I remember looking up at the bag, and it said donor bag, and I got this overwhelming just peace of, ‘Oh my gosh, somebody that maybe I know has donated blood.”

Lexie took her last medication in 2009 and now is a health senior in High School. Leslie says that blood donation really is the gift of life. “It truly saved my daughter’s life, Leslie said. “It’s a simple gift that doesn’t cost you anything.”

James Slack

Blood Recipient

James Slack’s journey and education in blood requirements began in Viet Nam. He worked in triage in an evac hospital and saw many horrific injuries that blood was able to reverse. Many years later, that need for blood became very personal for James.

The morning of July 4, 2000, James Slack began experiencing increasing pain in his right arm as blood clots began forming in his artery from his shoulder to his fingers. He was diagnosed with thorasic outlet syndrome and received “clot buster” medicines as well as a procedure to actually remove the blood clots from his arm, from his shoulder to his wrist.

During that time, he was given more than 75 transfusions of blood and experience 2 seizures. A call went out for blood donors, and friends, family as well as strangers responded. James says he will always be grateful for this generosity as an ample supply of blood was absolutely critical to his survival.

Now, James’ family are regular donors and he is serving as a Trustee on the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Board and The Blood Center East Texas Advisory Board Chairman from 2006 until 2021.