Gerald “Jerry” Howard Walker

 

Mr. Gerald “Jerry” Howard Walker, age 83, of Concord, passed away July 24, 2023.  Jerry grew up in Massachusetts, son of the late David Paddleford Walker and Alỳce Carragnon Walker.  After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served for two years.  After being honorably discharged, he reenlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served an additional 21 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer.  During his military service, he served aboard five different ships and spent a total of 13 years at sea.  The culmination of his service was at Head Quarters in Washington D.C. serving as the Head of the Coast Guard Drug and Alcohol Administration as a Chief Warrant Officer III.  

After retiring from the military, Jerry moved his family to Maggie Valley, N.C. and began his adventure with entrepreneurship. There wasn’t much that Jerry couldn’t do.  He was never afraid to take a chance or try just about anything.  He owned a motel and two restaurants, managed food services at Ghost Town in the Sky located in Maggie Valley, NC, and finished his working career as a manager in the asbestos business for NEO Corporation. He was a jack-of-all trades, loved to build, and was the best at repurposing almost anything into something useful.  He never met a stranger, enjoyed being around people and was an excellent storyteller.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, David Ronald Walker and Wayne Paddleford Walker.

 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years: Mary Walker; children: Karen Brown (Larry), Kirk Michael Walker, and Kim Rogers (Richard); grandchildren: Matthew Brown, Travis Brown, Jessica Wildes, Emelia Wanner, Abby Rogers, Sloane Walker and Meghan Rogers; great-great-grandsons: Gus, Finn, Remer, Ansel, Harlan and Koen; as well as many precious nieces, nephews and friends.

Moody Daniel Funeral Home