John was a friend, and a helpful and supportive colleague back in his economic development days, when I was just getting into the business of international trade.  I always admired John's good natured approach to life, and his willingness to share and to guide others.  Heartfelt condolences to John's family in their time of loss.

I have known John through Regions for the last few years. My condolences to the entire family. John was a valuable memebr of our team in central IL. I found John to be a very caring and kind man. He will be missed.

It was my pleasure to have worked with John for several years during the First American/AmSouth days. What a wonderful person. So sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with John during the First American/AmSouth days. he will be missed.

John was such a great friend and will truly be missed. I appreciate getting to know him over the last six years during the time he spent with us here in Knoxville for work. So sorry for the loss.

John was one of the best men I have known, both personally and profesionally.  He will be greatly missed.

What a wonderful man, very dedicated to his customers well being. He will be missed.

I am so sorry to hear of this loss.  John was a great person and very helpful. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

This great friend will truly be missed by all his friends from the Memphis World Trade Club.  My friend since the 70's.  John was a great supporter of the club and had many many club friends.I will certainly miss seeing his great smile, good hugs, and happy face.  So sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, Charlotte Patterson

I am so sad and shocked to hear the news of John's death, we have lost a great source of knowledge in the international banking world.  I will miss his calls and visits to the office when he was in the Knoxville area.  He always took time to check on his customers.  Ms Walker, John often shared many a wonderful stories of your vacation trips, tennis games and days spent a high school band competitions or events, he was one of the happiess people I might have ever worked with, always proud of his services with the bank and so proud of his family and friends.  I will miss his visits and his friendship.  
You are in my prayers today and in the days ahead.
Gail Lowe/DeRoyal
Powell TN

So unbelievably shocked and sad to hear from cousin Sarah Clarke about John's death!!  A truly wonderful relative and human being taken from all of us much, much too soon!!  Gwen's and my feelings, thoughts, and prayers go out to Shelley, Scott, and all of our family members remembering and celebrating John's wonderful life in Nashville and Crossville!!  Wish we could be there with all of you!  R.I.P., my cousin and friend!!

What a great guy, he was always the happiest person in the room!  During many a Thunderbird event, he was the one that knew everyone and everyone knew him. He will truly be missed, but always remembered for being such kind and genuine friend.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It was a pleasure knowing John and I always enjoyed chatting with him about family and tennis. He will be missed.

Shelly and Scott - I am so sorry for your loss and the sadness you must feel.  I worked with John for 26 years and consider him a friend.  I admired his spirit, positive energy, and the way he treated everyone with respect.  He brought fun into the world and demonstrated little acts of kindness to many.  He would leave a 'present' of catalogs on my desk each week.  He knew I enjoyed looking through them and when Shelly finished reading them he would bring them to me.   John loved his family, cared about people and will be missed by many.  You both are in my thoughts and prayers!

Shelley and Scott,  We are so saddened to learn of John's passing.  Although
it has been many years since our paths crossed, we remember John for his
generous spirit and eagerness to always project "good" toward other people.
Our families' interaction when our boys were young was indeed a blessing and 
speaks loudly of John's character.  We each convey our condolences and pray
for your comfort in dealing with the loss.  
Sincerely,  Shirley, Charlie and Ryan Shrader

I am so sorry for your loss.  I feel priveledged to have been able to be a part of the group that had lunch with John that day.  He is going to be greatly missed.

I have known John many many years as we both worked at First American, Amsouth, and Regions.  Such a fantastic  guy who will be greatly missed by all.

We all will miiss his wonderful wit and warmness to people. Our prayers to his family and friends during this difficult period of mourning. Fred  Goad

Shelley and Scott, I was so sad to hear about John. I remember you all coming to visit Mom and Dad and how much it always meant to them when you made a point to come by their house.  I have been blessed with such a great family and will miss John's laugh when we get together.

You were right!!!!! We are going to be out lived.  I love you and am going to sorely miss our conversations. Rosie

As I sat at the light on Church St East and Wilson Pike, a horn sounded in the car next to me.  It was John.  We rolled windows down and chatted about the upcoming First Tuesday (we're both Tbirds), my absence due to my brother's illness over past months, and joked, all as we continued driving side by side down Church until it goes to one lane.  He was a bright spot for me that day as he has been for so many and since the time that I met him at one of my first First Tuesdays in Nashville   As it turns out I had also interviewed with John just out of undergrad and just after he started with First American.  Odd how some folks are just meant to be around your life.  I will miss his generosity of spirit, his passion for all things international, his infectious smile and laugh, and the love of his family so easily shared.  My thoughts are with you.  Grieve well.

Living in Europe as kids, it was very special to have family living nearby.  I remember Christmases together and skiing in the Black Forest, among other things.  John was always a lot of fun; interested in everything around him.  You left us too soon, John!  The Walker family gatherings will not be the same without you.

John will truly be missed...Shelley and Scott, you will be in  my prayers in the days ahead. John was a great person to work with. Always  made me smile :) My Condolences to the family. Pat Sunderland, former Regions Int'l.

My sincere condolences to your family inn the loss of John.  I knew him through banking and the World Trade Council for over 20 years.  He was always warm and witty, great fun to be around.

To the Walker Family:  What a pleasure it has been to know John, as a friend and colleague.  I really learned from him,  and appreciate the many conversations we had, both working toward a joint goal.  He will be missed!  My prayers are with your family.

This was a guy who loved life. 
John had so much enthusiastic passion for so many things: his great family ,playing tennis, his vintage Norton motorcycle, loyal friendships , a good ( or even, not-so-good) joke and the "The Rolling Stones". 
What a sincerely great person and friend.
Life is going to miss John Walker

Shelley & Scott, Lynn and my prayers are with you. John will be missed by all he's special to all of us..

I knew John in college at Tech. We resumed our friendship about 20 years later when he started buying suits from me. He was the type of person/friend you wanted to be around, always finding common interest, good things to say and always a joke to tell. He left and example we could all learn from. Here's to you John. My sincere condolences to his family.

Scott,

Though I did not know your Dad, he and Shelly are blessed with a wonderful son. You and your family are in my thoughts.  May HE comfort you all.  Your dear friend,  Tammy Lynn

I knew John from the gym and he was a delight in every way!  Always with a quick joke, he had a smile that lit up the room.  I'm sorry for your loss.  John will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

Shelley and Scott:  When our paths first crossed at Thunderbird in 1979, neither of us realized that we would later work together for some 25 years.  I'll always be grateful for our friendship over the years, and will value the many memories of our time together.  John was a very special person, and will be missed by all.

John was always fun to be around and was a great tennis buddy back in the Bridgestone days. What great memories. So long ago.  Still kept in touch. That's the kind of person he was. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John and family

It was such a pleasure knowing and working with John.  He was always smiling and happy, a truly good man with a wonderfully contagious attitude. My most sincere sympathy to his family. Dani Meyer Cole - Regions Bank

I had the pleasure of working from Miami, FL under John from September 2008 to January 2011, and he was always very supportive and very much fun to work with, especially when he spoke Spanish and laughed heartily at the things he said under the cover of the foreign language! He spoke very well, by the way! I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and will keep him in my prayers. God bless,

'JW', you will be greatly missed by me and all your 'Y'buddies. Toasting you tomorrow at Cross Corners !

We're so sorry for your loss.  John was a great friend to all MFY tennis players!

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to know John in our dealings with the Japan America Society of TN and the International Business Council.  He was a good friend and a unique individual with an infectious smile and great sense of humor that always made you feel better after speaking with him.  His kindness and genuine positive spirit will sorely be missed by all.  My heartfelt sympathy to his wife, son, family and friends.

Worked with John at the old 1st American and would see hgim around in more recent years. Good man.

I am so very sorry to hear about John.  He was one of the first people I met after coming back to Nashville following my time at Thunderbird.   A fellow Thunderbird, John was always interested in all things international and such a wonderful person.   My sympathies and prayers to family and friends.  He will be missed.

John was as a great co-worker. I worked with him at ECD and he was always pleasant and a joy to be around. I ran in to him last fall and he was still the same old John. My sincere heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. I know that you will miss him.

John and I were friends and colleagues for more than 20 years. He was a source of insight and aid to many of us in the international business community. His presence will be sorely missed for we are greatly deminished by his passing. To his family, I am grateful to have been able to share in his life. You will be in my prayers. <

Scotty and Shelly,  I was very saddened by the news of the loss of your father and husband.  I last saw him one-on-one in Cross Corner and had a great personal conversation.  I only wish I had spent more time with him. My heart goes out to you and he will be missed greatly.  He is playing on God's tennis courts now.

John and I both worked in ECD and later with First American Bank.   Indeed, he was such a nice person.

Brenda Harrison

To the family, my heart is so heavy knowing that John is no longer here with us.  He was a phenominal man!  Always full of energy, happiness, and enthusiasm.  I am honored to have worked with him since the First American / AmSouth merger.  He was a great sales guy an even better person!  I wish you peace in this time and comfort in the days, months and years to come.  A loss so great as this is not easy.  With all my love!

John and I worked together at AmSouth and then Regions for many years. I will always remember him for being both hard working and laid back at the same time. There were three things that he seemed to love the most. His family, his tennis, and his beer. Even though I retired from Regions 18 months ago, John and I had stayed in touch. I will miss our little chats John. May God keep you and bless you and your family.

I knew John from the Bank and sat right outside his office when I worked in the International Department.  He was one of the few people in my life that was always pulling for me.  That's just the kind of man he was.  My heart goes out to his family with his sudden departure.  Please know I am praying for all of you.  We will miss him greatly, Charlotte Reifsnyder

John was a friend and fellow Thunderbird. I will miss his wit and company!  My thoughts and prayers are with John's family.

I had the pleasure of getting to know John at IBC meetings. He was a wonderful conversationalist and genuine person.  My prayers are with his friends and family during this difficult time.  May peace be with you.

The last voice mail on my phone is you checking in. Ribbing me about my third vacation of the year and wondering if I got a sub for our match. I'll miss you my friend...the tennis, the jokes, Cross Corners and the daily horn blowing when you passed the house. Twenty years of good memories.
Many thoughts and prayers go out to Shelley & Scott and all of the family.

I had the privilege to work with John for many years, travelling overseas on missions when he represented the State of TN and I represented the State of MS.  He was one of the kindest people I have ever met and lived every minute of every day.  I loved his attitude, great humor and affection for his many colleagues and friends. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.  He will surely be missed by many.

My deepest sympathy to John's family.  I had the pleasure of knowing John for over 25 years and enjoyed working with him for much of that time.  I recently visited with him and will reflect on that memory and many more fond memories.
Nancy Capps

What a great guy. I am so, so sorry to hear of his sudden passing. Even though I did not see John that often, I always enjoyed our conversations and Johns sense of humor and wit. He will be missed. Rest in peace John.

I knew John from the Maryland Farms YMCA.
His humor always made my day brighter.
I'm very sorry to hear of John's passing.
My thoughts are prayers will be with him and all his family and friends.

A Juan Caminante de tus amigos en Miami . .My deepest condolences to the family. John was always in great spirit and left you with a smile every time you spoke to him. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Shelley & Scott,  I am so sorry to hear about John's passing.  I worked with him for a number of years and always enjoyed his enthusiasm for life.  He will be greatly missed, as you well know.

John was one of my very favorite people and a friend and mentor from my earliest moments with the State of TN - ECD back in 1985. His seemingly infinite supply of energy and infectious laughter were his particular trademarks, as was his curiosity about so many ponderous aspects of life, human behavior, and cultures and languages other than his own. His imprint on the international business community in Tennessee, especially export development and Japan-TN relations, is widely recognized and highly regarded. Most of all, though, he was a thoughtful, kind and compassionate friend whose absence now defies my comprehension.

So sorry to hear about John - it was a great pleasure working with him over the past few years. Talking with him was always a treat. My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends

I knew John through his work with the World Trade Council of Middle Tennessee.  He was a truly good person and he will be missed.  John, thank you for all of your hard work over the years.

To John's family and many, many friends, I offer my sympathies at the passing of our dear friend and colleague.  He was a wonderful person and simply a good man, an icon to those who are seeking a true model of humility.  He embraced everyone he met and always had a great sense of humor.  We will miss him dearly.  May his memory be eternal.

My sincere condolences on your loss.  John was always upbeat and had a funny story to tell. We always looked forward to our meetings with him.  Could count on having lunch at a good Mexican restaurant and shared stories of Thanksgiving at St. Pete Beach.  His positive presence will be missed.

My heartfelt sympathy for your loss of a wonderful person.  I have so enjoyed working with John since the Regions/Amsouth merger.  He was a joy every time we talked -- such an amazing motivator.  I will miss him so very much.

"Juan Caminante" you will truly be missed! Your jokes and positive attitude always made it a pleasure to work with you. May you be in God's glory. My thoughts and prayers are with and your family!

Shelley & Scott my heart goes out to you for the sudden loss of your husband and father.  John would come to Memphis every February and take us to the Tennis tournament.  I have many fond memories of our time together talking sports.  John was a great man and consumate professional.  He was very kind a couple of months ago when my family and I lost our house to a lightning fire.  He called to see if we needed anything and sent a donation to help us get through.  I will miss John but raise a toast to a great guy and a man who lived his life the right way!

I worked with John on many international business programs with the state of Tennessee, The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the World Trade Council of Middle Tennessee. John was a dedicated volunteer in all these activities. He was also a true friend with a great sense of humor who never failed to make us laugh with his candid observations. He is sorely and sadly missed.

My heart goes out to you and your family at this time.  I know that he will be missed, but fondly remembered.

My dear friend "Juan Caminante" like you used to call yourself.  You are going to be missed but I know that God has a special place for you.  Thank you for the good memories.  May the Lord continue blessing your family.  Your Friend, 

Hector

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends.  It was an absolute pleasure to work with John over the last 4 years.  He will be missed greatly.  Great friend and teammate.  Bart Rose, Regions Bank Decatur, Illinois

God speed John, I will miss you.  I will keep your family in my prayers.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends. It was my pleasure to have known John.......always a gentleman.....Dave Eck, Regions Bank, Vincennes, IN

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Juan Caminante,
Tu carisma y ambicion por vivir, disfrutar en llenas el amor de tus seres queridos y compañeros de trabajo. Fuieste y siempre seras muy especial en nuestras vidas.

OBITUARY

John D. Walker

December 30, 1950 – August 13, 2012

Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home

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