J Frank Walker

Mr. J. Frank Walker, age 93, passed away Saturday, December 12, 2015 in Nashville surrounded by his family. The family will visit with friends on Monday, December 14, 2015 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home followed by a graveside service celebrating Frank's life at 2:30 P.M. at Polk Memorial Gardens with Lee Coulter and Waymon Hickman officiating. The family suggests memorials to Columbia Main Street, P.O. Box 1940, Columbia, Tennessee 38402 to continue the beautification of downtown Columbia or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born January 21, 1922 in Wayne County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Jesse Gray and Margaret "Maggie" Virginia Gallaher Walker. He was a proud graduate of Wayne County High School. Frank began his career early in life by delivering The Memphis Press Scimitar newspaper at the age of eight to earn enough money to buy a bicycle so that he could expand his newspaper route. He continued that entrepreneurial spirit until the end of his life. He was a partner with his brother-in-law, E. H. Griggs, in Southland Novelty Co., General Equipment Sales and Service, and several real estate ventures. After selling Southland Novelty in 1979 he found his real passion in the restoration of many older buildings in downtown Columbia. Frank initiated the Main Street Program and served with distinction on a number of boards including, The Middle Tennessee Bank and Columbia Rotary Club. He was twice named Rotarian of the Year and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a long time member of First United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and The Al Menah Shrine Temple. Frank is a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. On October 15, 1946 he married Jean Lockhart Walker, "the prettiest little girl he had ever seen" as he often referred to her. They enjoyed over sixty-eight years of marriage until her death on February 27, 2015. Frank and Jean were completely dedicated to one another and shared the love of traveling. He loved history and genealogy and enjoyed tracing his family roots in the British Isles, having traveled there as well as to many other countries numerous times. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his five siblings, Jessie Griggs, Mary Morris, Lois McKee, Mason Walker, and Mabel Watkins. This kind and generous man is survived by his daughters, Barbara "Babs" Walker of Columbia; Cathy (Lee) Coulter of Brentwood; and his adopted daughter, Eva Heinricher of Innsbruck, Austria; grandchildren, Stephen (Tammy) Walker of Columbia; Elizabeth Walker (Ward) Hart of Franklin; and Isaac Coulter of Brentwood; great grandchildren, Franklin Walker, II of Columbia; Anna, Lila, Quinn and Ward Hart all of Franklin; step great grandchild, Justin Dillehay of Columbia; sister-in-law, Nancy Lockhart Fox of Santa Fe; brother-in-law Jack S. Lockhart of Santa Fe; and many nieces and nephews, including special niece, Pamela McKee Smith. Pallbearers are Stephen Walker, Isaac Coulter, Franklin Walker, II, Justin Dillehay and Ward Hart. Honorary pallbearers will include Bill DePriest, Waymon Hickman, Dr. Joe High, John Fleming, Eddie Holloway, Joe T. Kelley, Moore Landers, and Mort Dugan. The family wishes to express special thanks to Jackie Vernon, Tom and Carol Schmidt, Mary Ann Hughes, Sherrie King, and Jeanene Waldrum for their many kindnesses and loving care.