Individual Details

Dr. George R. Walker, Jr., 80, of Huntsville, died Thursday. He was born and raised in Randolph County about five miles from Wadley, AL, and graduated from Wadley High School as the co-valedictorian of his class. He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he received a B.S. in 1954. He majored in Biology and minored in German, and he was elected to the Premedical Honor Society Alpha Epsilon Delta, later serving as its president. He also was elected to the German Honor Society, Delta Phi Alpha, as well as to Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa, both among the highest collegiate honors awarded for leadership and scholarship. He attended the Medical College of Alabama in Birmingham and received his M.D. in 1958. After completing an internship and general surgery residency at University Hospital in Jackson, MS, and a plastic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, he was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1964 and the American
Board of Plastic Surgery in 1970.
In 1955, George married Barbara Ann Mathews. He was an Instructor of Plastic Surgery at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill from 1965 until 1966. In 1966, George and Barbara moved to Huntsville, where he was the first plastic surgeon to open a practice. He maintained a plastic and reconstructive surgery practice for 31 years, until his retirement in 1997. He performed very little cosmetic surgery, focusing instead on reconstructive, congenital, traumatic, and head, neck, and hand surgeries. During those years, he was a Fellow to the American College of Surgeons and a member of many professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Alabama Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the American Burn Association, the Southern Medical Association, the State Medical Association, the Madison County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.
Dr. George Walker was also an active, longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and the Session of Elders. In his retirement, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, making White Oak baskets, and repairing cuckoo clocks, among other activities that required the use of his skilled surgeon's hands.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara Walker; daughter, Ann Walker Phillips (husband Will) of Maryville, Tenn.; two grandchildren; a sister, Nelda Bishop of Wedowee; and two nieces and one nephew.
A graveside service was held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Maple Hill Cemetery, Inc. with Dr. Mark Mueller officiating.

Birth	12 Sep 1932	Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama
Marriage	2 Jun 1955	Alabama City, Etowah County, Alabama - Barbara A. Mathews
Death	29 Aug 2013	Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama
Burial		Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama

Spouse	Barbara A. Mathews (1932 - )
Child	Living

Notes