Jerry Clyde Walker

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo (née Vodicnik), and his three children, Randy (Karen) of Indianapolis, IN, Kandy Duke (Ken) of Athens, GA and Michael (Roxanne) of Lubbock, TX. He is further survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Jerry had several chapters in his life. He was an only child in a family that moved often and spent his youth in Arizona and Texas. He graduated from high school in Pharr, TX, married Suzanne Stoudt, and ran an independent soil testing lab while attending Pan American University from which he graduated in 1965. “One too many freezes” in the citrus orchards compelled him to leave southern Texas to study Agronomy and Statistics at Clemson University, where he completed the Ph.D. Degree in a record 3 years. He joined the agricultural chemical division (Elanco) of Eli Lilly & Company as a scientist and after a successful research career, was appointed Director of Agricultural Product Development. He retired as Director of Toxicology in the pharmaceutical division of Lilly in 1994. During this time, he was also active in the community, participating in The Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County, Sertoma, and the Hancock County Community Foundation.

Jerry’s next chapter revolved around his life-long love of horses. He began to breed thoroughbreds at the farm, Brandywine Stables, in Greenfield, IN and was instrumental in the approval of pari-mutuel betting in the state. He held leadership positions in both the Indiana and American Horse Councils. He won over 50 races and was named Indiana Breeder of the Year in 1999. Jerry also launched a number of always fun, and sometimes lucrative, thoroughbred partnerships with animals he either bred or purchased. During this time, he also built a vacation home on Daufuskie Island, SC, only accessible by ferry. It was a wonderful gathering spot for family and friends.

Finally, Jerry fully retired, remarried and built a summer cabin on Crab Lake in Presque Isle, WI. There, he enjoyed walking, stocking firewood, wildlife and cocktail cruises on his pontoon boat, Drug Money, with his beloved Jack Russells, Sammy and Lucy. Winter was spent in Naples, FL. He and Mary Jo enjoyed traveling, with most notable excursions being a barge trip in France, an Alaskan cruise and a trip to the southwest canyons. Playing duplicate bridge kept Jerry sharp and introduced him to many good and competitive (!) friends. Road trips to tournaments were always memorable. He much enjoyed sharing his two paradises with friends and family, and was particularly delighted to see great-grandchildren join the group. Jerry led a full and happy life, and was a big man with a big presence. He will be greatly missed.

Memorials can be directed to a charity of choice or the Crab Lake Conservation Foundation