‘Respected’ state representative who helped develop Perry fairgrounds dies at 84
Longtime Central Georgia politician Larry Walker Jr. died late Tuesday night at his Houston County home while under hospice care, according to Houston County Coroner James Williams.
Walker, 84, died of natural causes and was surrounded by family, Williams said. Walker Jr., who formerly served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1973 to 2005, was a pivotal supporter for the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
“The Walker family means a great deal to me, my family and so many throughout our community,“ Williams said in a statement. “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, who was an attorney, was widely recognized for his leadership in public policy and economic development across Georgia, according to the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.
Walker, a longtime Perry resident, served 32 years in the Georgia General Assembly. During his tenure, Walker spent 16 years as House majority leader.
Walker also played a key role in the development of the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, helping lead efforts to establish the facility in the 1980s. Executive Director Stephen Shimp said Walker’s vision centered on agricultural education and encouraging young people to become involved in the industry.
“This place became what it is because of Mr. Walker, and it was all for educating the general public and getting youth involved in Georgia’s number one industry, agriculture,” Shimp told The Telegraph over the phone Wednesday.
The GNFA later named the Larry Walker Arena & Barn in his honor, breaking ground on the new facility in May 2025. Shimp said the building remains under construction and is slated for completion in April 2027.
“We did the dedication really beforehand because we knew that his health was declining, so we wanted to make sure that he knew we were going to put his name where it really deserves to be, and that’s at the forefront of this facility,” Shimp said.
Walker was the father of state Sen. Larry Walker III, who could not immediately be reached for comment before publication.
After retiring from the General Assembly, Walker was appointed by former Gov. Sonny Perdue to serve as an at-large member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
In a statement Wednesday, Perdue said Walker’s death was both a personal and public loss, describing their relationship as a bond that went beyond politics.
“We were two kids — Larry from Perry and me from Bonaire — who loved Houston County, loved our neighbors and shared a deep devotion to the state of Georgia,” Perdue said. “Whether we were working together under the Gold Dome or catching up back home, Larry’s quick wit and common sense always stood out both in his personal life and as a legislative leader.”
Perdue said he was proud to appoint Walker on the board of regents because “he truly understood that investing in our students was an investment in Georgia’s future.
“He made an immediate impact, and his leadership helped shape the university system we have today. This past May, Middle Georgia State University awarded him one of its first-ever honorary doctorates, a well-deserved tribute to a lifetime of dedication. While his history of public service will carry on, his greatest pride was his family. Mary and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to Janice, their children, grandchildren and the entire Walker family during this difficult time.”
Walker also was the author of “Tales from Georgia’s Gnat Line,” a recollection about southern culture and his life in South Georgia, as previously reported by The Telegraph.
He also wrote a series of columns for The Telegraph, starting in 2001 until his last piece in 2017.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by Watson Hunt Funeral Home in Perry, according to Williams.
Shimp said the fairgrounds will continue to carry Walker’s mission.
“As long as I’m here (and) as long as the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority is in existence, we’re going to keep in mind what Mr. Walker’s thoughts were on this place and the function that it should serve,” he said.