Senator Russell Grady Walker, Sr.

Senator Russell Grady Walker, Sr., age 91, of 1004 Westmont Dr., Asheboro died Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Randolph Hospital, Asheboro.A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Ave., Asheboro with Rev. Paul Ridolfi, Rev. Connie Weaver, and Rev. W. Russell Ward officiating.Born on August 26, 1918, in Conetoe, Edgecombe County, NC to Ashley and Aline Bryant Walker, the family moved to High Point in the early 1920's. During the Great Depression he worked after school to help his family survive. His first job was for National Food Stores (later Big Bear) in High Point. At the age of 19 he moved to Asheboro to manage the new Big Bear Store.In July, 1941, he married Ruth Brunt of Winston-Salem. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was accepted into the Aviation Cadets Program. After earning his "Wings", he flew Multi-Engine Bombers and Transports in WWII hauling bombs, fuel and troops from India into China over the Himalayan Mountain Range, the world's tallest.After the war he returned to Asheboro where he began his own grocery business which he, along with partners, Al Walker and Clarence Davis, built a 13 store regional chain known as Food Line Supermarkets. Along the way he served as a member of the Asheboro City Council, was a NC State Senator for 10 terms, was Chairman of the State Democratic Party, was the State Campaign Manager for both Nick Galifianakis and Michael Dukakis, and was a strong supporter of the NC Zoo and the Asheboro Airport.He is survived by his wife, Ruth Brunt Walker; sons, Russell Walker and his wife Diane of Asheboro, NC, Steve Walker and his wife Karen of Julian, NC; daughter, Susan Smith and her husband Rich of Asheboro, NC; grandchildren, Heather Azzu and her husband Joe of Greensboro, NC, Brent Walker and his wife Christine of Marietta, GA, Jaime Walker of Asheville, NC, Brian Walker and his wife Kelen of Greensboro, NC, Sam Walker of Greensboro, NC; Allison Walker and her husband Scott of Greensboro, NC, Walker Smith and his wife Nichole of Asheboro, NC; great granddaughters, Ada Walker of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte Smith of Asheboro, NC, Isabel Walker of Greensboro, NC; brother, Al Walker of Asheboro, NC; and sister, Mavis Causby of High Point, NC.Family members will have a time of remembrance on Saturday, September 5, 2009 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC.Memorials may be made to the RCC Foundation, Honorable Russell G. Walker, Sr. Scholarship, P.O. Box 1009, Asheboro, NC 27204 or The Salvation Army, 345 N. Church St., PO Box 1366, Asheboro, NC 27204-1366.