Richard Walker, 94, of Taylorsville, N.C., passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center. He was born August 18, 1930, in Alexander County, the son of the late Vernon Walker and Clara Sims Walker.
Richard was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and a Sunday school teacher. He loved to golf.
Local insurance agent A. R. Walker was presented the 1998 Alexander County Citizen of the Year Award, and the nomination form submitted about Walker, noted “This dynamic citizen has provided positive leadership to the greater Alexander County area for more than 37 years, impacting the lives of all age groups in our community with his multi-talents, resources innovation, and work ethic.” The award was presented by last year’s winner, Margaret Gwaltney, who noted, “This man is truly deserving, and it is my great pleasure to present the award to a man who loves his family, his fellow man, and his community.”
A graduate of Taylorsville High and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Walker earned his B. A. degree in Business from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1958. After working three years as an insurance adjustor, he returned to Taylorsville in 1961 and became a partner in the Matheson Insurance Agency in December 1967, he founded Walker Insurance Agency, which was located in the Walker Insurance Office Complex on Main Avenue Drive SE in Taylorsville.
A member of the Taylorsville Jaycees, he served as district vice-president of the North Carolina Jaycees, was selected as a Jaycee International Senator (an office which includes lifetime membership), and was instrumental in founding and developing the Jaycee Recreation Park in Taylorsville and received the club’s Distinguish Service Award.
He a past-president of the Taylorsville Rotary Club and served as chairman of the Alexander Industrial Fair, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club, pas-president of Alexander Land Company, past-president of Brushy Mountain Recreation Association, served for several years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alexander County Department of Social Services, served three years as president of the Catawba Valley Girls Scouts Council during which time program services were expanded in the eight-county service area along with the development of Camp Ginger Cascades and construction of new council headquarter facilities in Hickory, and is a former member of the Taylorsville Lions Club.
He has served as chairman of the Alexander County Heart Fund, March of Dimes, Alexander County Christmas Parade, and Red Cross bloodmobile program. He is a past member of the executive board of directors of Blue Ridge Bank and served for three years on the Taylorsville Town Council. He is a member of the Alexander Community Hospital Board of Directors and serves on the Executive Committee, and Planning and Finance Committee.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Louise Evans Walker.
Those left to cherish and honor Richard’s memories include his daughter, Melissa Walker Price of the Bethlehem Community; his grandchildren, Felicity Nicole Mayberry (Justin) and Nathan Lee Price (Kelsey); his great-grandchild, Cameron Shea Mayberry; his special lady friend for over 12 years, Nan Campbell; Rickey Price, the father of Richard’s grandchildren; and his favorite bedside buddy, Skip.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Taylorville. George Holloman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Taylorsville City Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the Alexander County Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 p.m. prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the Activities Department at the Greens of Viewmont.
Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.
Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services are honored to be serving the family of Richard Walker.