Mr. George Thomas “Tommy” Walker Jr. died on Thursday, May 28, 2020 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Hiawassee, Georgia.
Mr. Walker, a native of Sandersville, was the son of the late George Thomas Walker, Sr. and Virginia Jackson Walker. He was predeceased by his brother Alexander “Alec” Smith Walker and his beloved son, George Thomas “Trey” Walker, III. Tommy was loved by his children, Leah Walker Clark and Susan Walker Smith and son-in-law Jay Smith. He was a wonderful grandfather to Katie Clark Moncus (Brad), McGinnis Clark, Walker Smith, Jackson Smith and Chartavious Danzy and was blessed to live long enough to be a part of the lives of his great grandchildren Milledge, Bo and Ham Moncus. His life for the past few years was enriched by his sweetheart Brenda Micali from Haiwassee. He is also survived by his two stepsisters, Peggie Frederick Cheatham and Faye Frederick Salter, both from Sandersville.
Tommy had a strong faith in God which sustained him all of his life. He taught the Tommy Walker Sunday School class at Sandersville First Baptist Church for over twenty-five years, where he formed lasting friendships with many of the members. Later in his life, he was a member of the Sandersville United Methodist Church, the same church he attended as a young child with his mother.
Many of his classmates from the Washington County High School graduating class of 1960 knew him as “Bullet” Walker for his skills on the athletic field. He attended Young Harris College and later graduated from the University of Georgia where he became a lifelong member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. During the summers away from college, he was proud to be an Indian chief at Rock Eagle 4-H Camp. Friendships from these early days continued throughout his life and he made it a priority to attend reunions through the years to visit with his Sigma Chi brothers, Young Harris College and Rock Eagle friends.
Mr. Walker, who served in the US Air Force after college, returned to Sandersville in 1971 to work and eventually became the owner and operator of Walker Tire Company, a business his father and grandmother started in the 1950s. He was a member of the Georgia Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association and was selected as a board member with this association for many years. Mr. Walker dabbled in politics and was elected Mayor of Sandersville and served a term as Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Like his father before him, Tommy was a long-time member of the Sandersville Rotary Club, was a Paul Harris Fellow and served as the Rotary Program Chairman for many years. He believed in the future of Washington County and wanted to serve the community he loved. This spirit of community lead him to coach football and basketball to many young men over the years and he still enjoyed watching old game footage.
There were three groups especially dear to his heart in Washington County: the Friday “Think Tank” friends, the Sandersville Rotary Club, and his former Tommy Walker Sunday School class of Sandersville First Baptist Church and the family is grateful for
these friendships over the years. Tommy was blessed with wonderful friends of all ages. He loved a good joke and didn’t mind telling one himself. He believed in the genuineness of a heartfelt, handwritten letter and taught his grandsons’ the importance of a good, firm handshake. Relationships were vital to Tommy and he relished in them. He wasn’t perfect but he was special.
The family will celebrate his life with joy and laughter on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Sandersville.
In honor of Tommy, please consider donating to a local charity of your choice. “Peace and Love”.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.