Tony Walker

Anthony Warner Walker (Tony), passed away peacefully on July 21 in Cumming, Georgia, at the age of 81 following a year of multiple health issues. Tony was born July 6, 1942, to Miriam and Jack Walker in Atlanta, GA, joining siblings Marianna and Jack, Jr. He attended Murphy High School (class of 1960), continuing his education at DeKalb Community College. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miriam Walker and Jack  Walker, and brother Jack Walker.   

Tony is survived by his sister, Marianna Walker McHenry; his son, Warner Walker and daughter-in-law JoAnna, Daughter Melissa Barnes and son-in-law Daniel, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Holly Walker, husband Paul Geimer and their daughter Iris Marie of Los Alamos, NM; Michael Walker of Los Alamos; Hayden Walker and wife Roxanne of Ann Arbor, MI; Matthew Walker of Logan, UT; Andrew Barnes, Sophia Barnes and Meghan Barnes, all of Cumming, GA.  Nephews and nieces Steve Malone, Scott Malone, Sharon Box, Max Walker, and Sam Walker. 

Tony began his career in the printing industry at Foote and Davies, Stein Printing Company, and Knight Ridder Newspapers in Atlanta, Macon, and Columbus.  His hard work and innate ability in the new frontier of computer technology led to a position as Technology Manager for Cox newspapers.  Tony traveled throughout the United States, improving the publication process at Cox-owned newspapers in towns large and small, making lifelong connections and friendships along the way.   

Despite his demanding travel schedule, Tony was always up for a trip in his off time.  He enjoyed yearly trips to St. Simons Island with his daughter’s family. It became a family tradition that the entire family enjoyed. The kids were only 7 and 1 when they started the tradition.  He also loved to visit his son’s family in Arizona and New Mexico for holidays, and many other special events including track meets, high school and college graduations, ceremonies and Holly’s wedding.  He also traveled to beautiful vacation destinations around the US and in Europe.   

In mid-life, Tony was enjoying a bottle of wine when he discovered something new about himself – turns out he was an extremely talented artist, without ever having taken a lesson.  His first effort was a wall in a stairwell in his home, where one evening he created a beautiful Southwestern landscape.  He turned his talents to the canvas and the results were truly stunning.  His nephew Sam Walker shared a photo of one of Tony’s paintings, a lovely flower arrangement, to a friend who happened to be an art editor at a large US newspaper – who mistook it for the work of a very well-known artist! 

After Tony’s retirement 15 years ago, he spent much of his free time painting and enjoying his other passions, reading and golf. He often took his grandson Andrew and granddaughter Meghan to his golf club, where they enjoyed many special hours together golfing. He was very proud when Meghan made the golf team and came to every match he could. He also enjoyed watching his granddaughter Sophia draw and paint, as she certainly inherited his love of painting and drawing.  

The family will be having a celebration of his life on August 19 from 2-4pm. It will be held at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, GA.  

Tony’s family appreciates the caring, and very special, people who supported Tony through his difficult last year: the terrific team at Celebration Village and special caregivers Caroline, Festus and Nikky. We can’t thank you enough for the love, support and kindness you gave so generously to our father, grandfather, uncle, friend – and to us, his family.