Born in Vernon, Texas, Percy Ransom Walker was a star player for the Vernon Lions football team from 1922-1924. He went on to attend Texas Technological College from 1925-1930, where he was dubbed, "Handsome Ransom Walker, Tech's Galloping Gazelle," by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's sports editor, Rankin Dow. A variation of Walker's nickname was "the Galloping Gazelle of the Gridiron."
During his time at Tech, Walker lettered in basketball, football and track. Awarded an Amon Carter Scholarship, he became the first captain of the football team and the 1926 basketball team. He was also named the college's "Best All-Around Athlete" during his sophomore, junior and senior years. In addition, Walker was the first Tech player chosen to play in the East-West Shrine football classic (1928-1929) which was held in San Francisco, California.
After leaving Texas Tech,Walker moved to Mission and became associated with Jim Parrish in the operation of Parrish Farms Inc. Later, he moved to San Angelo and became a real estate salesman. On Oct. 14, 1961, Walker was one of five persons inducted into the newly established Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Honor. He passed away on September 9, 1957, and his memorabilia collection was donated by Walker's daughter, Helen Marie Jones.
From the guide to the Ransom Walker Papers, U 280. 1., 1925-1961, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)
