Garner Ray Walker

Garner Ray Walker, age 83, passed away peacefully and went to meet the Lord on September 28, 2024. Garner accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. He was a devout servant of the Lord and member of the Central Avenue Church of Christ; he shared a life of faith with his wife of 51 years, Sylvia.

Garner was born at his family’s home in Nashville, TN on June 10, 1941, to Garner B. and Ophia Mai Walker. He was one of seven sons. His mother documented their family history through pictures which influenced Garner’s career in photography. One of his most cherished pictures which his mother took is of the brothers living in a one room shack on the side of a mountain, built by his father to keep the family together while he worked on the Fontana Dam

Garner spent his early years attending a rural country school in Oliver Springs, TN and graduated in 1959 from Oak Ridge High School. He shared classes with children of the scientists who developed parts of the Atomic Bomb, the same project which ended WWII. Unable to afford college, Garner joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a radarman and ship’s photographer aboard a wooden, ocean-going minesweeping ship. His ship was one of the first to respond to President Kennedy’s order to blockade Cuba during the Missile crisis of 1962. As the ship’s photographer, he balanced an aircraft surveillance camera on the ship’s railing to document Russian shipping.

After leaving the Navy, Garner worked at Kennedy Space Center during the peak of the Saturn V moon launches. He held roles within closed-circuit communications and video departments of RCA and Federal Electric Corp. He maintained the video cameras, which provided NASA controllers with the images that were often shown on public television. While working at NASA Garner enjoyed meeting astronauts Alan Shepard and Gene Cernan the night prior to a moon launch. 

In 1972, Garner joined the school division of Olan Mills Studios and moved to Valdosta, GA. He managed the South Georgia and North Florida territory. While Garner signed contracts and did photography under Olan Mills, his wife, Sylvia, served as office manager. Together, they opened Garner Walker Photography to provide wedding and other non-school-related photography services. During the 27 years of photography, he was proud of the successful business he and his wife built and memories made through photography. 

After retiring, Garner and Sylvia made many memories while traveling in their RV. They were often found shrimping on the shoreline of Jekyll Island with family and friends. Garner was most proud of his role as Papa to his six grandchildren and enjoyed countless hours of attending their many activities. 

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by 4 brothers: Jesse L. Walker Sr., Buford Dean Walker, Charles G. Walker, and Clifford Walker, along with one daughter, Ruth Ann Walker.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Adams Walker, his children David Walker of Valdosta, James “Tim” Walker of Valdosta, Angela (Nick) Legg of Atlanta, and Phillip (Jessica) Walker of Valdosta. Grandchildren include Sarah & Thomas Legg (Atlanta), Kelsey Mae, Kailyn, Holly, and Kinsley Walker (all of Valdosta). He is also survived by two brothers: Floyd (Freida) Walker of Kingston, TN and Leon (Brenda) Walker of Augusta, GA, along with many loved nieces and nephews.

 Visitation with the family will be held at Carson McLane Funeral Home on Friday, October 4, 2024 evening from 5:00pm till 7:00pm. Services will be at Central Avenue Church of Christ on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 2:00pm. He will be laid to rest at McLane Riverview Memorial during a private interment. 

Condolences to the family may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Walker family.