James Frederick Walker

On June 2, 2016 James Frederick Walker accomplished a goal he held for 60 years when he looked into the face of his God. Born in Greensboro, Kentucky on August 22, 1955 to the parents of Dr. James Alvin and Beatrice Chaudoin Walker, Fred was the husband of Cynthia Minton Walker and the late Brenda Anderson Walker. He is survived by four children: Molly Walker Merrill (Brett), Laurel Lee Walker, Britton James Walker (Jennifer), and J. Zachari Minton (Marshall.) He has two granddaughters that he adored and regretted he could not watch grow up: Reese Anderson Walker and Lily James Walker. Fred is survived also by his siblings: Ernie Walker (Patricia,) Maurice Walker (Sandra,) and Kay Frazier (Jeff.) Fred loved all that he met, but his family, he loved most and well. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews to cherish his memory, along with thousands of others that loved him.
Fred Walker, the son of a Methodist minister, graduated from Oak Grove High School and the University of Southern MS. He became a State Farm agent in Long Beach, MS in 1980. He was a multi-time member of the State Farm Millionaire Club and earned the Legion of Honor in 1982 thru 1992. In 1993, Fred was selected as the Gulf Coast Association's Agent of the Year and in 2013, Fred received the Select Agent Legion of Honor from State Farm.
Fred viewed his job as a way to give back to other people, but he was grateful that it afforded him the opportunity to also give back to his community. Over the past 35 years, he held numerous positions of leadership including service in the City of Long Beach Board of Alderman from 1985-1989 and as a trustee on the Long Beach School District Board from 1996-2001.
Fred was always on the lookout for ways to help his community grow and meet the challenges it faced. Whether he was announcing for the Long Beach Bearcat sporting events or showing up at homes of those in need, Fred worked for others or joined groups that made it their mission.
He was a member of the Optimist Club, The Long Beach Jaycees, and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce of which he served as president in 1997. In 2004, Fred was selected as the recipient of the Aline Doherty Citizen of the Year by the Chamber and was still an active member of the chamber at the time of his death. He also gladly coached little league baseball teams in Long Beach after he left Harrison Central High School as the head baseball coach to become an agent.
Whenever Fred saw a need, he wanted to meet it. Noting a rash number of deaths in Long Beach by drug overdose in 2004, Fred pulled leaders together and incorporated the Gulf Coast Substance Abuse Task Force on which he still served. In 2014, he spearheaded a committee that established the Long Beach Live Concert Series and attended the May concert where a number of his Oak Grove high school friends made a surprise visit. His goal was always to leave his corner of the world better because he had been there.
Fred received a number of awards from the community, but those he was most proud of were his selection for Leadership Mississippi in 1998, and the Long Beach School District Parent of the Year in 2005.
Those who knew Fred Walker knew that he was a man of integrity that loved to laugh. He was often called a true Southern gentleman that was recognized for his strong faith. He lived it every day, and he found delight in serving his creator. Prior to moving back to his roots in the Methodist church, Fred served in the Long Beach Church of Christ as an elder and active member. As a member of The First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, he served with the Methodist Men's Group and led the Stewardship Committee on Finance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Way of South MS or Gulfport First United Methodist Church.
Visitation was held on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2016, at 2:30 pm in the church sanctuary.
A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall. Burial will be private.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Gulfport or the United Way.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.