Randall M. Walker, Jr.
1927 - 1993

A Tribute to Randall M. Walker, Jr.
by E. L. "Boe" Williams, on behalf of the HGS Board of Directors and Staff
(originally published in HGS Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, February 1994)

Randall Walker, beloved President of the Huxford Genealogical Society, died in Springfield, Missouri, on October 25, 1993.

Randall and his wife, Jean, were in Branson, Missouri, enjoying a well-deserved vacation at the Country Music Center.  After attending a Box Car Willie show, Randall was stricken with cardiac ar­rest. Box Car Willie applied CPR and eventually restored his heart beat, but Randall never regained consciousness and died a week later.

Randall's contribution to our Society cannot be exaggerated.  When Randall became President in 1976, the society was in dire financial circumstances and was facing a very uncertain future.  After seventeen years of his leadership, the Society has better than quadrupled in membership, the Library has grown tenfold and is now operating in the black.

Randall was a very capable, even brilliant man.  All of his undertakings in life were successful.  He was one of Jesup, Georgia's leading citizens where he served as Mayor for a number of years.  He was a pillar in the Methodist Church.  His ethics were above reproach.

In later years Randall semi-retired from his automobile dealership, turning most of his duties over to his son, Randy, and devoted, on a volunteer basis, almost all of his working days to the ad­vancement of the Huxford Genealogical Library.  Randall was a whiz with the computer and. contributed two computers to the Library, as well as other significant financial donations.

Randall and Jean were always at every meeting and every workday.  For the past two years, he met with two other members of the Society every Wednesday where so much work was done on the new volumes of "Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia".  In addition, most of his evenings were spent working for the Society.

Randall was a quiet, reserved man with a quick wit and a keen sense of humor.  He lived life to its fullest.  Possibly the best decision he ever made was when he married Jean Adams of Hortense, Georgia.  Jean and Randall were a perfect pair.  Jean is such a refreshing, outgoing, optimistic person who has never met a stranger.  She always supported Randall in all of his endeavors and while Randall was so modest about all of his achievements, Jean was always quick to tell any and all how great he was -- and we agree with her assessment.  Most of all Randall was our friend. In all of his years of working with the Society, he always put the Society first and avoided the spotlight.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Jean and their loving, devoted children, Angie, Randy and April for allowing us to have so much of his time and energy.

Those members who did not have the opportunity of knowing Randall on a personal basis have missed knowing a fine Christian gentleman who was deeply devoted to the Huxford Genealogical Society.

We sure do miss him.

  Boe
Boe Williams
on behalf of the
Board of Directors and Staff

Eulogy for Randall M. Walker, Jr.
by Rev. Stephen Webb, First United Methodist Church, Jesup, Georgia
(originally published in HGS Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 3, September 1994)

Randall Walker has brought us to this house of worship today as we celebrate with him in this service of death and resurrection.  We can only be participants in this service of what we know he has experienced.  We are a community of faith gathered from all parts of the body of Christ in and throughout this part of God's Kingdom.  We have the hope and promise of victory that Randall is now enjoying.  For no other faith preaches, teaches, or seeks to live out the promise of God's redeeming love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who had told disciples of all ages, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."  "No one comes to the Father except through me."  "I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also, if this were not so, I wouldn't have told you about it."  As Paul says, "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has in store for those who love him."

Gerd Theissen in his book, The Open Door says that "death is this unknown land, that we strive with every ounce of strength to overcome."  He poses a question as he asks, "If you could journey into his 'unknown land', what three items from our Christian faith would you pack and take with you?"  Now, or course, the voice of objection is raised that no one can take this journey, but one journey begins here and now, and there are three items we do take with us:

            1. Trust in the creative power of God "which creates beings out of nothing", sense of the miracle of being and the mystery of our part in creation.

            2. Trust in the closeness of Christ and in his resurrection power; he (Christ) is our "companion" in life; and will be our companion through death and into eternity.

            3. We take with us our trust in the Spirit of the Living God and the power of the Spirit to over­ come enmity, division, trials, and suffering. 

Everyone's covenant relationship with God, and faith journey, is lived out differently.  There are those things common to us, all basic and fundamental to the foundations of our faith, but the way God chooses to use us and our particular gifts, graces, talents, intellect, and resources are as varied as there are people on this earth. 

In many ways, Randall's walk was a quiet, powerful one; in others, it was direct, focused, and with unfailing allegiance, lived demonstratively before us.  But always acknowledged was his trust in the creative power of God, the closeness of Christ, and the power of God's Spirit to overcome. 

The spiritual gifts of discernment and administration are seen lived out in his life.  From a communal aspect, Jesup and Wayne County have benefited greatly from his vision, wisdom, and judgment.  If you look at the community organizations to which he belonged, especially the service clubs like Kiwanis whose motto is simply "We build", or the Jaycees, whose mission and vision statement embodies providing young people with leadership skills, providing direction for leadership development and practice to and for the community and nation, you sense his deep-seated desire that his community, and those in it, prosper. 

He had a leading role in the building of the current Jaycee Stadium and was one of the men who stepped forward with $10,000 to begin the Wayne County Industrial Authority.  During his tenure as Mayor, a new National Guard Armory was built, as was the Airport, and new buildings for the Recreation Department.  Somehow, I can't imagine Randall as a politician; he doesn't fit the present day model.  For the model was one of another time, where political leaders acted for the benefit of all their constituents and what was best for all concerned.  I'm sure those of you here today who served with him can attest to this. 

In business, he was all business.  "He demanded a lot", someone said.  But, he also gave a lot.  He was not satisfied with mediocrity; if it was worth doing, it needed to be done right.  When you did give your best, he let you know it. 

He demanded a lot of himself, always learning, always growing and expanding his knowledge.  He took seriously the challenges of responsibility and faithfully executed that which was placed in his charge or those things he chose to pursue. 

He was a genius in his own world and in ours a very smart man.  I remember a conversation we had over a computer for the church.  He told me more than I wanted to know about megabytes, bits, memory, programs, etc.  I tried not to let my ignorance show, but I'm sure it leaked out. 

He was a brilliant man. Perhaps you have one of the genealogy books he researched and co-authored with others; or perhaps he helped you find your roots, pointing the way to resources where you could trace your family tree.  He loved his work with the Huxford Genealogical Society. 

When we heard that there could possibly be brain damage suffered because of lack of oxygen, it was said, "Well, he could stand to lose a few brain cells!"  Dwight's reply was, "You mean he might possibly be on my mental level!"  April's reply was, "That's a frightening thought!" 

His church will miss him.  There are those in the body of Christ who give of their time to projects, programs, and ministries.  There are those who use their talents, gifts, and skills in speaking or doing.  There are those who use their resources to benefit the total program of ministry, and then there are those who give of all three: their time, talents, and their resources.  Randall was such a man.  He didn't always volunteer, but could always be counted on when needed or asked. 

He told me, "Stephen, if there is anything the church needs, let me know."  I immediately gave him a list: new van, new sanctuary, elevator, family life center, and others.  Without batting an eye, he chuckled, grinned, and said, "You get the board to approve it, and I'll do my part." 

He called me last fall, and told me to come by.  He said, "I try to give what I can each year, and I need to know would you like a cash contribution or a new van?"  The new van was in our parking lot within a week. 

Though he might have seemed distant to some, if you knew him, you knew a kind and generous man. 

In 1991, he gave me a check with an admonition to use it where I thought best.  Later, in 1992 I preached on the parable of the pounds from Luke and invited everyone to participate in a living parable to take a five dollar bill and invest it for a year, and then we would all bring our offering back to the church.  He didn't know it, but the $1,500 I gave out that Sunday came from his offering.  I didn't get the chance to tell him that to date, that $1,500 has become almost $19,000.  I'm sure that the only other investment that would have given him so much pleasure would be his family, Jean, Angela, Randy, April, his grandchildren Holly, Lauren, Adrienne, Don Jr., his sons-in-law, and daughter-in-law.  Perhaps, at times, you felt like outlaws, but you were in. 

We honor the memory of a significant and powerful man who left a positive mark on our community, his church, and his family a legacy, one not to be copied, but one in which we are privilege to share. 

The days ahead will be different, especially in the holiday season.  He loved Christmas and for years, he and Jean have decorated the church during the advent season.  I'm sure we'll continue to experience the fruit of his labors here.  To his employees, actually his other family, at Walker Chevy-Olds-Geo he enjoyed planning the Christmas party and giving the gifts he gave to make you feel appreciated and cherished as you were.  Around the tree at home, he delighted in watching you open your gifts, especial­ly those 'happy bags'.  Somehow, I feel this tradition will continue as you share those precious mo­ments together.  You'll hold fast to those memories, vacations, and birthdays.  He reveled in your accomplishments, your artistic talents, and gifts.

Remember the way he awakened you in the morning with "Zippidy-doo-dah-zippidy-aye, my oh my, what a wonderful day?"  We heard that you sang this to him in the hospital. 

When Randall was diagnosed as having leukemia, all who knew him, knew this day would come.  He readily admitted he was living on borrowed time, and he was determined to live life to its fullest. 

It was during one of these 'living life to the fullest' moments that he began his last nine days on earth.  Through the valiant efforts of Box Car Willie, CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation were administered until the paramedics took over.  Through their efforts and those who lent Jean emotional support, God’s peace began to move, preparing Jean, Angela, Randy, April and all for what was to come. 

In several conversations we had, he mentioned that one of his prayers was that he would not linger and suffer as he'd seen so many others do.  He got the answer he wanted.  Lingering no longer than necessary, though not able to speak the last few days, prepared the four of you for his passing. 

To hear April, Jean, Randy, and Angela speak of their days together around his bed, with the hospital chaplains, and doctors, is a testimony in itself. 

Randall's doctor told them as long as there is a chance, I'll fight with every tool and skill available; but when I feel I'm losing and God is winning the ultimate healing process, I'll tell you it's time to let him go.

When that time came, the four of you were gathered around his bed and began to sing "In the Garden" and other favorite hymns.  When he drew his last breath you too, were at peace. 

Randall frequently moved from one computer terminal to another on earth, and how he's probably in charge of the genealogy department in Heaven, keeping up with who begat who. 

One day those pearly gates are going to open for me, and St. Peter's going to say, "Wait a minute, Webb."  As I look up there's a cloud coming from the heavenly gold dust on the streets of heaven.  When the dust clears, there before my eyes is a space-age Chevrolet van, the likes of which General Motors has never dreamed.  The doors slide open and there sitting in the driver's seat is Randall with his cabby hat on and a big grin on his face.  He says, "Looked over the schedule for the day and saw you were arriving.  Hop in and I'll introduce you to the Father of us all."

Rev. Stephen Webb,
First United Methodist Church,
Jesup, Georgia