Robert Calvin Walker

After a long , courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease, Robert C. Walker succumbed to complications from the malady on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Rob's funeral was held on Sunday, February 27, 2011, in the chapel at Cochran Funeral Home in Blue Ridge, GA. Interment followed at Chastain Memorial Park. In Rob's memory, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.
Born in McCaysville, GA, Rob grew up near Blue Ridge, GA in a large two story home with his parents, R.C. and Maude Walker, and his six siblings. During this period in Rob's life, he learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. Rob never forgot these lessons.
A natural born competitor, Rob excelled at both academics and sports. In high school, he earned excellent grades and played on both the varsity basketball and baseball teams.
After graduation and during the Korean War, Rob and his fraternal twin brother, Herb, volunteered for the US Air Force. Belonging to the same unit, they were stationed at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Japan where Rob and Herb proudly served their country. Throughout Rob's and Herb's lives, they were inseparable. Indeed, Rob and Herb were more than just brothers. They were always best friends.
Following the war, Rob and Herb moved to Atlanta where Rob enrolled in Georgia Tech. He studied mechanical engineering and particularly liked calculus.
Rob became a successful businessman after college. He and his brother-in-law, Bob Pritchett, were partners at Medlock Auto Parts in Decatur, GA. For 34 years, they built a thriving business based on customer service, quality products, and fair pricing. Treating their employees well, most of Rob's and Bob's staff remained with the company for life.
During weekends, Rob took flying lessons and earned his pilot's license. He made many flights around the Southeast.
Rob also excelled at other endeavors especially water skiing, bowling, and golf. He could perform simple tricks on one ski and won numerous amateur bowling and golf tournaments.
In 1972, Rob married Barnez Hall, the love of his life. They were wedded for 34 years until her death in 2006. During Rob's and Barnez's time together, they shared many good times and common interests such as attending church at Embry Hills United Methodist, bowling in leagues, boating on Lake Lanier, going to the movies, and traveling to exotic places around the world like Japan, China, and the Caribbean.
Until the very end, Rob's and Barnez's love never wavered. Every day for three years, Rob insisted that his family take him to his wife's bedside at a nursing facility where he would care for her even though he too was seriously ill. Barnez's only concern was for Rob's welfare. She would constantly ask Rob's family to look after him. Fortunately, Barnez did not have to worry because Herb, Sr., Vivian, Rob's sister, and Herb, Jr., Rob's nephew, faithfully took care of him for the rest of his life.
Rob's family and friends will miss his warm smile, his sense of humor, his generous nature, and his loving heart, but, most of all, we will miss the wonderful man that Rob was. He will not be forgotten.
Immediate surviving relatives include a brother, Herb Walker, Sr., and his wife, Sonja, of Chamblee, GA; a sister, Vivian Pritchett, of Decatur, GA; a sister-in-law, Betty Walker, of Alpharetta, GA; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Walker, of Blue Ridge, GA. Rob also had numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements for Mr. Robert Walker were entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. Friends and family may send their condolences and sign the guest register by logging onto www.cochranfuneralhomes.com