Gary Wade Walker

Gary W. Walker, he passed away peacefully at the age of 68, surrounded by his wife and daughters at his home on October 17, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinsonism’s *Syndrome.

Gary Wade Walker was born in Starkville, MS on July 28, 1954. He attended Starkville, MS High School and moved to Norman, Oklahoma in 1971 where he graduated from Norman High School in 1972. Gary attended the junior college North Eastern Oklahoma and shortly after college, he started work in construction. In 1978 he transitioned into the petroleum oil/gas industry where he worked as a land man for Sun Exploration until 1986. He worked in several states during his time as a land man and eventually ended up in Midland, MI. This is where he met his wife Deborah (Kinne) Walker. They married in February 1987 and had two beautiful daughters. They moved to La Quinta, CA in 1988 where Gary worked for the La Quinta Resort & Club for many years, before starting his own business GDMS (Great Destination Management Services), respectively (Gary, Debbie, Meggan & Shelby). Gary took great pride in his business and thoroughly enjoyed planning and managing annual events/programs for private organizations and companies such as the Lexus Champions for Charity National Championship that he worked every December for over 30 years. He formed many friendships along the way, but his proudest accomplishment was his family.

After retiring in 2019, Gary and his wife moved to West Columbia, SC to be closer to their eldest daughter and son-in-law where they shared in his final months.

Gary genuinely loved people and loved to help those in need. He had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. He always said “we were put on this earth to help one another”. His soft, gentle voice and caring spirit made him loved by many. Some of his favorite past times were golf and fishing but his greatest joy was spending time with his daughters and family.

Gary will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his big heart, his love of family and a good old fashioned “Walker debate”. Gary is proceeded in death by his parents Wade H and Jean Walker and his sister Carol Walker Simmons & brother Ronald Preston Walker. Gary’s is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debbie. His daughters Meggan Walker of Columbia, SC & Shelby Madison Walker, Markham, IL. A Celebration of his life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 104 Wainscot Oak Lane, West Columbia, SC 29169.