John “Edwin” Walker, Sr., 95, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Cypress Pond Assisted Living. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Chip Grantham officiating. Mr. Walker will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Matthew Walker, Kevin Walker, John Walker, Bill Brim, Harvey Gaines and Mike Wood will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Lewis Taylor Farms, Walter Strange and Johnny Plowden.
Born December 8, 1923 in St. Mary’s, Mr. Walker was the son of the late Lester W. Walker and Elizabeth Wallis Walker. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Wallis Walker and Robert C. “Casper” Walker; and one sister, Elizabeth Connell. He graduated from Emory University in 1943 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science. Before retiring in 1985, he was a self-employed farmer and an original co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms for 25 years. He was a very active member of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where he served on the official board; was chairman of the Finance Committee and taught the Friendship Sunday school class. He was a veteran of the United States Navy from 1942 through 1947 and served in World War II and attained the rank of Lieutenant. He served on the Board of Directors of the C&S Bank of Tifton; served on the Tift County Forestry Board and the Tift County Planning and Zoning Board.
Mr. Walker is survived by his wife of 69 years, who he married on January 2, 1949, Wyolene Bennett Walker of Tifton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Ben and Marty Walker of Jacksonville, Florida and Ed and Jan Walker and Wesley Walker, all of Tifton; six grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Kevin, Abbey, Erin and John; and six great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Maple Court and Cypress Pond and all other caregivers for their loving care of Mr. Walker.