DARREN VALEX WALKER

Darren Valex Walker, age 39, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 10, 2024, while on a brief visit to Medellín, Colombia. He was there searching for a second home for his family; he had found the perfect spot and was headed home the day of his passing. A proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Darren lived between both cities in recent years—but New Orleans was always home. The youngest of six siblings—and the only one planned—Darren entered the world with purpose. He came prepared to make his mark, but first, he needed capital.At just six years old, he launched his first business—by quietly taking his brother David’s drawings and selling them to his classmates. When students began coming home starving because they’d used their lunch money on artwork, upset parents and teachers quickly learned the culprit: Darren was running a thriving art dealership out of his backpack. It was the first of many ventures. The one that still makes us laugh: he sold $2,000 vacuums door to door—somehow convincing people with hardwood floors they needed one. Darren could sell anything—even saltwater at the beach. He had no interest in a typical 9-to-5 life, and that fire burned bright from the start. In high school, he went against the grain. While most of his classmates wore baggy jeans and sneakers, Darren dressed in slacks, button-down shirts, and dress shoes. He was so committed to looking distinguished that Jean, a family friend, once took him shopping for school clothes. Darren desperately wanted a pair of Kenneth Cole shoes—but the only ones available were two sizes too small. He was a size 10, but he bought the size 8s anyway. He stuffed his feet in and strutted through campus until the pain caught up with him. A classmate called out, “Red, you got baby feet!” Darren was convinced he’d permanently damaged his toes. His family loved laughing at that story for years. He was a natural leader—sharp, thoughtful, magnetic. He took a small Christian club of just a few students and turned it into something so large they had to move meetings into the gymnasium. Word spread about this young man at John Ehret High School who could preach like a seasoned minister. Soon, he was speaking at youth groups and even at adult services. One of those services was at his grandfather’s church—where he met his future wife, Lucy Barrera Walker. She preached first. Darren was scheduled to follow. As Lucy listened, she remembers thinking: “That’s the kind of man I want to marry.” As they prayed over the youth together at the end of the service, Darren remembers thinking: “This feels like a married couple. Snap out of it, Darren—we’re supposed to be praying!” They crossed paths again after the passing of Darren’s grandfather. That first month, they talked for 10,000 minutes while Darren was attending Rhema Bible College. He kept the phone bill. It was proof of how in love they already were. Darren was sentimental like that. He believed love should be shown—and remembered. Boldly. Before marrying Lucy, Darren’s father-in-law told him he’d need to buy a house first. So at just 20 years old, Darren became a homeowner and landlord. After marrying, he and Lucy worked together at Reggie Glass’ State Farm agency. But Darren still had a dream of breaking free from the 9-to-5 world. His brother Danny introduced him to properties damaged in Hurricane Katrina, and Darren got to work. For two years, he rose early and stayed up late, buying and renovating blighted homes. Eventually, he built a real estate portfolio large enough to set both he and Lucy free from traditional jobs. He did it all while carrying a sense of urgency that defined his life—moving as though he knew time was short. Lucy called him “The Oracle.” He’d feel a pull in his spirit, make a big decision quickly, and years later they’d realize: he was right. It had to happen then. In one of the boldest acts of faith and adventure, Darren and Lucy decided to live abroad for a year. That one year turned into three in Medellín, Colombia. Darren threw himself into learning Spanish—and soon he was having deep, tearful conversations in another language. He’d hop into a taxi and somehow leave with the driver’s life story. That was Darren. He saw people fully. His vulnerability gave others the courage to be vulnerable too. He made lifelong friends in Colombia and found healing, peace, and clarity in its mountains. Whether in Medellín or New Orleans, people were drawn to him. He was magnetic, grounded, and real. He was a safe place. Darren was also wildly generous. He’d often ask Lucy, “What do you want? I want to give it all to you.” He loved fine jewelry—not for status, but for meaning. When he saw Lucy wearing plastic rose-shaped earrings, he took them to a jeweler and had them recreated in 18-karat gold, adding a matching necklace engraved with “4 years.” It was their fourth anniversary. Details mattered to him.
Darren lived life fully. He traveled the world—Morocco, Spain, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Panama, China, and beyond—and conquered his fear of heights by paragliding high above the Colombian mountains for Lucy's birthday, and he even went parasailing in San Andres, Colombia, for Lucy’s Mother’s Day—grinning through the nerves because it made her happy. He loved turning Lucy’s desires into reality, even if it meant facing his fears. In something as mundane as gutting a property, he’d find a way to laugh. He’d stop to point out birds or admire flowers. He reminded us that nature was a gift—and life, even in struggle, could be beautiful. Darren’s greatest mission—and deepest joy—was being a father. He adored his daughters, Desiree Analida Walker and Liv Fe Walker. A mosquito bite became a national emergency. Their pain was his pain. Their joy was his joy. For the little things, he made them feel seen. For the big things, he’d sit and hold them for hours, talking through whatever they were facing. He was the “safety police,” always thinking five steps ahead to protect them physically and emotionally. The girls knew—without a doubt—that Daddy was for them. Desiree and Liv are Darren’s legacy—the most beautiful parts of him live on in them. Desi inherited his extraordinary empathy. Like her dad, she’s someone you can cry with and feel truly understood by—someone who celebrates your wins as if they were her own. Liv shares Darren’s drive and polished way with words. Both captivating and confident, she speaks with the same presence and charisma her father was known for. And just like him, she lives by the power of a good list—crossing off goals with purpose and style. Darren gave his girls an extraordinary, forever kind of love. He brought them out of the ordinary and into a life of adventure, deep connection, and joy. Darren left behind a treasure trove of poems, notes, and voice messages—fragments of his heart. His final writings, were love letters to Desiree and Liv, reflecting on their unique beauty, strength, and spirit. Lucy found letters he hadn’t even shared yet. In the days after, Lucy and Liv were able to grieve privately in Colombia before returning home to New Orleans, where family awaited. It wasn’t supposed to end this way. There were more chapters to write. But Darren often said: “I’ll find you—no matter where or what dimension I’m in.”  Darren changed the world—not just in how he lived, but in how he loved. At the time of his passing, Darren was an owner of “Zoey’s Fresh Queso Dip,” a beloved snack found in grocery stores across Louisiana – one that families across the state have grown to love, and one we regularly fought over at family gatherings for the last bite. He was also a partner and owner of “3Wrkz,” a company developing innovative AI solutions designed to help businesses work smarter with their data. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Lucy; his daughters, Desiree and Liv; his father, David Walker; his mother, Veronica Walker; his siblings: Deltrice (Michael) Davis, Dionne (Jide) Osifekun, David (Erika) Walker II, Derek (Tammy) Walker, and Daniel (Lisa) Walker; his aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, extended family, and countless friends around the world who were transformed by his life. Darren Valex Walker lived like he knew time was short. And he used every minute well. Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Relatives and friends of the family, also pastors, officers, and members of Whole Family Church, True Hope Ministries, The Hope of Glory Church, and all neighboring churches are invited to attend the Homegoing Celebration at Greater Mount Calvary International Worship Center, 1600 Westwood Drive, Marrero, LA on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00a.m. Min. James Welch, officiating; Apostle Terry Gullage, host pastor. Visitation will begin at 9:00a.m. until service time at the church. Interment: Westlawn Cemetery-Gretna, LA. Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe St., Gretna, LA To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.davismortuaryservice.com.

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