Guy Morrison Walker

Guy Morrison Walker II died on August 1, 2013 at his home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He was born on January 29, 1924, the son of the late Ray Mattox Walker and Marian Ward Tippy Walker. He was the grandson of the late Guy Morrison Waker I and Minnie Royse Walker and Dr. Worth Marion Tippy and Zella Birda Ward Tippy. He graduated from George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel, Mississippi, and attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, from 1942 to 1944. He then joined the navy and attended Columbia University Midshipman School and became an officer serving in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1949 and began the general practice of law in Ellisville, later moving to Laurel specializing in oil and gas law. He continued to practice in all aspects of the legal field until his retirement in 1999. During his practice, he served as a Jones County public defender, a County Judge, and prosecuting attorney for the City of Ellisville. Upon the death of his father in 1953 he assumed the duties of family patriarch, initially managing one-half interest in 10,000 acres known as Reklaw Ranch. He went on to work with his family to manage a cattle ranch, tree farming, and the development of oil and gas interests. He built lakes, residential subdivisions and served as president of Houston Estates Utility Company that lead to the development of what is now a large subdivision in north Laurel. He was known for building more roads in Jones County than any other individual. He was a true Renaissance man and his interests were varied and broad. He had an intense thirst for knowledge and loved to share his ideas and philosophy with family, friends and new acquaintances. Guy raised paint horses for many years in Laurel, and was a lifetime member of the American Paint Horse Association. He was on the Executive Committee for 8 years and served as president in 1991. His passion for paint horses was only equaled by his passion for his alma mater, Depauw University, where he was a 5th generation Phi Kappa Psi, and where his family is documented in the archives and is represented by gifts such as the annual Walker Cup award. He was always interested in nutrition and became an expert on vitamin therapy, opening the first health food store in Laurel, The Sun Flower Seed, in the late 70s. After his retirement in Ocean Springs, he served as an active member of the Board of Trustees of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, and was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Ocean Springs. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother Merle R. Walker II; his sister Zella Ward (Kitty) Walker; and his stepdaughter Melinda G. Easterling. He is survived by his wife Betty S. Walker; his children Sandra Gray Walker Holmes of San Diego, CA, Cynthia Ward Walker (David Sheffield) of Ovett, MS, and Wendell Ray Walker (Leon Waller) of New York, NY, and their mother Marguerite Pou Walker of Laurel; his step-children Michael (Dawn) Goodwin of Germantown, TN, and Mark (Beth) Goodwin of Jackson, TN; stepson-in-law, Keith Easterling; his grandchildren Morrison Walker Lewis, Kelsey Walker Holmes (Gray) Mitchell, Warren Walker (Anne) Holmes; his step-grandchildren Katy (Russ) Rogers, Taylor Mapp, Elizabeth Mapp, Amber (Mark) Hicks, Davis Goodwin, Tucker Goodwin, Jack Goodwin; and Jared (Anna) Easterling; his great-grandchildren Emma, Eleanor, and Marian Mitchell, Walker Dean Lewis, and Gabrielle Holmes; step-great- grandchildren Ann Faulkner Rogers and Evelyn and Lynlee Easterling; his cousin Bruce (Fran) Walker; niece Wynnne Worth (Randy) Moskop and nephew Merle R. Walker III. Following his passion for knowledge and his belief in the importance of education, Guy requested donations be made to Jones County Community College Scholarship Foundation in his name, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. Friends may visit two hours prior. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com