John Scott Walker
John Scott Walker, 54, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Bruin, passed away Monday in Memphis.
He was born May 1, 1962, in Butler, the son of Richard Miller Walker and Dorothy Casselberry Walker.
John grew up in Bruin and was a gifted athlete in his younger years. At age 15, he became paralyzed as the result of a diving accident but never let his circumstances hold him back. John earned multiple bachelor's degrees from Liberty University, a master's degree from Memphis State, and then went on to graduate with a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of Memphis studying under Richard Bausch, Cary Holladay and Barry Hannah. He was an assistant professor of English at Creighton College and later joined faculty of the Center for Western Studies.
John was extremely creative and loved writing, music and art, especially songwriting and harmonica. He was an award-winning published author, receiving the Glimmer Train and Raymond Carver awards for his fiction pieces. John was dearly beloved by his colleagues and students, and those who knew him will remember him as a gifted teacher, mentor and man of faith.
He will be deeply missed by his mother, Dorothy Walker of Gibsonia; his brothers, Rick Walker and his wife, Eileen, of Mobile, Ala., Jeff Walker of Lancaster, Pa., and Matt Walker and his wife, Jessica, of Gibsonia; his sister, Julie Walker Richter and his husband, Todd, of Winchester, Ky.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his father, who died Nov. 8, 2011.
WALKER — The family of John Scott Walker, who died Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of funeral services at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 102 S. Argyle St., Petrolia, with the Rev. Dan Chaffin officiating.A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Living Faith Bible Church, 28 Rolling Road, Cranberry Township, with the Rev. Dan Chaffin officiating. Burial will be at the Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia.Contributions may be made in John's memory to the Center for Western Studies Inc., 932 Harbor View Drive, Memphis, TN, 38103.To send a condolence to John's family or view a tribute honoring his life, visit www.bauerhillisfuneral.com.
