Shannon Wayne Walker

Shannon Wayne Walker passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from heart complications. He was away for work but was on the phone with his loving wife, Jennifer Sander and stepdaughter Tessa Sander who were speaking with him during his final moments.

Shannon was born to Gene King and Pamela Owen in Jacksonville, Alabama on May 20, 1971. As a small child his mother married Kenneth E. Walker (Bubba) who then adopted Shannon as his own and raised him alongside his half-brother Todd Walker and his 2 stepbrothers. Shannon had an amazing childhood in this small town and proudly told the world he was from the mountains of Northeast Alabama. Shannon was a star athlete at his Jacksonville high school, playing running back for the football team and center field for the baseball team. Athleticism ran through his blood. There was not a week that went by that he did not talk about those glory days and what a bad-ass he was and still is.

After High School he received a scholarship to play college baseball at Gadsden State. He then transferred to Jacksonville State University majoring in Business. Shannon established lifelong friendships with a tight knit group that still call themselves “Framily” to this day. Their bond remains unbroken, and he spoke and met with this group daily. If you heard him laughing when he was alone it was pretty much a given, he was chatting or texting with the “Framily”. Shannon’s heart and big personality were fuel to the “Framilies’” fire, and even though he is now gone, his flame will be forever felt. Shannon married Laurie Allen Walker after college who gave birth to his pride and joy, Owen Walker, on September 23, 1996. The two separated some years later regretfully, but Shannon remained dedicated to raising Owen in Homewood, Alabama as a single father. He coached many of Owen’s baseball teams, earning a reputation of being a great leader for the young men in the community. To this day Owen’s friends and former teammates call him “Coach”. Owen followed in the footsteps of his father and earned a college baseball scholarship as well. The bond between these two men is a deep love and admiration that is unmatched, and Shannon shall certainly live on through his son. Shannon’s love of music was also passed to Owen and the two of them would spend hours strumming guitars and singing their hearts out. Some of Shannon’s favorite artists included Widespread Panic and the late Dr. John, two bands that produce an array of joyful tunes. Shannon was a joyful man; he would feel the lyrics and identify them with life. It was a gift.

Shannon had an incredibly successful sales career. He started selling road milling equipment around 2015 at the highly reputable company Kennametal, where he quickly established himself as an industry leader in the southeast. His big reputation led him to be recruited by Xcal Tools, where he increased his knowledge, expanded his relationships, and compounded his success. But his dream job was presented to him in December of 2021 with Tricon Wear Solutions and he could not believe the opportunity he was given in the steel industry and was quickly learning and excited about his new career and challenges.

Without a single doubt, work took backstage to his focus on his family. His mother was his pride and joy and losing her to Covid in January 2021 was a loss he never overcame. But it made his focus on Jennifer, Owen and Tessa even stronger. As much as he loved people and friends, his happy place was simply being with them. Shannon and Jennifer found each other in March of 2017 and the bond grew fast. They were married on June 1, 2019 in the center of Chastain Park with a true celebration of love and friends. He often said it was the best day of his life. They were inseparable and lived life fully. In the 5 short years of being together they covered the country, hiking from the Sedona Red Rocks to the Breckenridge Rockies, to the mountains of Jackson Hole. Age did not stop him from being physically fit and his love of nature was his place of peace and refuge. Jennifer and Shannon had plans to one day build and retire in Blue Ridge, Georgia. He wanted to be back to his mountain roots and his “city girl” as he called Jennifer was excited for that next chapter.

Shannon is survived by his wife, Jennifer Ramsdell Walker, his son Owen Walker, his stepdaughter Tessa Sander, his brothers Todd Edward Walker and Michael Walker, his father Bubba Walker, his aunt Pat Owen Abbott and his cousins Jason Abbott, Les Abbott and Cameron Abbott. His wife’s entire Atlanta family considered him one of their own and he loved them all back with his entire heart including his in-laws Cathy and Bob Boston and Myron and Madeline Ramsdell.

The celebration of Shannon’s life will be on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 1pm in Atlanta Georgia at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Roswell Road in the Sanctuary.

Shannon was a man of faith, demonstrated by his dedication to the homeless. He would not only buy meals for homeless people but would regularly invite them to come sit with him in a restaurant and just talk. He enjoyed their company and wanted to hear their stories. It brought him to tears. In lieu of flowers, he would be honored for contributions to be sent to the Central Outreach and Advocacy Center that supports the homeless Atlanta community.

To donate, follow the link:

www.centraloac.org