Richard Walker

Rev. Richard "Bearman" Walker, age 54 of Calhoun, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009 at Gordon Hospital following two years of declining health. He was born in Flint, Michigan on December 4, 1954, son of the late William Leonard Walker and Genevia Laverne Hagar Walker. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Ray Walker.

Rev. Walker was self-employed in the rental properties business, and in earlier years he and his father trained and wrestled bears. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Sugar Valley, and had also pastored Peters Street Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Peggy Sue Baggett Walker; a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald Bruce and Sandra Gail Wilbanks of Ranger; three daughters, Georgia Renee Getter, Michelle Walker and her husband Darryl, and Dixie Ann Kennedy, all of Calhoun; a sister, Sandra Laverne Davis of Calhoun; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Funeral services for Rev. Richard "Bearman" Walker will be conducted Wednesday, April 22 at 1:00pm from the Calvary Baptist Church, with Rev. Maynard Thomas, Rev. Chris Gibson, Rev. John Hicks, Rev. Donny Mattila, and Rev. Larry McDonald officiating. Interment will follow in the Crane Eater Cemetery. Active pallbearers will include Vernon Talley, Bill Wilson, Tommy Davenport, Bill Wheat, Ralph Redwine, Craig Kirby, Jerry Henderson, and Doug Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Wilson, Shane Swift, Brent Balliew, Bruce Wilbanks, Shane Davis, and Daniel Douhitt.

The family will receive friends at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home Tuesday after 6:00pm. Online condolences may be expressed and the guestbook signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Family owned and operated Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home is conducting the funeral services for Rev. Richard "Bearman" Walker, of Calhoun.