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Charles "Ford" Walker

Charles \"Ford\" Walker

Feb. 25, 2013

Charles \"Ford\" Walker, 95, of Redington Shores, Fla., died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at his home.

He was born in Athens to the late Charles F. Sr. and Lilly W. Lawson Walker on March 22, 1917. He married Helen Beatrice \"Bea\" Tate on Jan. 4, 1955, in Rossville, Ga., and together they made their home on the Gulf Coast of Florida for almost 60 years.

He was an extraordinary building contractor until his retirement in 1982, when he began his second career as a rancher in Levy County, Fla., where he raised cattle and tended several horses, chickens, cats and guineas. As a contractor, he mentored and employed several young men, helping them to grow into hardworking, responsible adults.

He had a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with, whether customer, employee, family member or daily acquaintance. He was also an avid hunter and survived more trials and tribulations than any one man should have to, including losing his right arm at age 14; being bitten by a rattlesnake, not once, but two separate times; bitten by a scorpion; kicked by a horse; and suffering second-degree burns in an accident.

Never deterred and always an optimist, his favorite saying was \"can\'t never could do anything.\"

He also served on the Redington Beach City Council and was of the Christian faith.

Survivors include his wife, Bea; one sister-in-law, Twila Yoakley of Knoxville; two nephews, Charles H. Walker and Randy Walker, both of Knoxville; four nieces, Jo Bruce, Kay Hembry and Mary Ann Hutto, all of St. Augustine, Fla., and Jimmie Thomas, of Auburndale, Fla.; and two more nephews, Doug Yoakley of Knoxville, and Gary T. Ridenour of Rockledge, Fla.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Rosa McKenzie and Barbara Hayes, who were invaluable to Ford the last five years.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Red Cross.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Sign the online register at www.highlandmemorialparks.com

Highland Memorial Funeral Home of Knoxville is in charge of arrangements.