Former Georgia Rep. Larry Walker Jr. dies at 84
Walker helped shape the vision for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and AgriCenter, where an arena named in his honor is projected to open in July.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Former Georgia Rep. Larry Walker Jr. has died, according to Houston County Coroner James Williams.
Williams confirmed Walker died late Tuesday night at his Houston County home. Walker was 84 years old and died peacefully under hospice care, surrounded by his family, Williams said.
“The Walker family means a great deal to me, my family, and so many throughout our community,” Williams said. “Mr. Walker was well known and respected by countless people, and his passing will be felt by many across Houston County and the entire state of Georgia.”
Walker served more than three decades in Georgia’s House of Representatives.
At the time, Walker reflected on the emotion of learning the arena would be named after him.
“I couldn’t help it… I cried,” Walker said.
The arena is part of a vision that began in the 1980s.
Walker, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives at that time, saw a need for better facilities for Georgia’s agricultural youth to showcase their livestock projects, leading to the establishment of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and AgriCenter.
“This experience could not have been better,” Walker said at the groundbreaking. “I really think the best is yet to come.”
Larry Walker Arena is projected to open in July.
