Russell Wayne Walker

Russell Wayne “Rusty” Walker passed away at his Buford, GA home on Saturday, December 26, 2020, surrounded by his beloved family.

Rusty was born on December 23, 1973, to Jim and Carol Walker. He grew up near Columbus, Georgia, and was a proud alum of Berry College in Rome, Georgia. While at Berry, he met and fell in love with Keri. They were married in 1997 and together had three children: daughter Ella, 18 (now a freshman at Berry); son Evan, 16; and daughter Avrie, 11.

Rusty graduated from Berry in 1996 with a degree in Education and Sports Performance. Those two passions, teaching and human performance, defined Rusty’s life’s work. He was equally at home in the classroom, on the playing field or in the clinic with patients. He joined the team at Procare Prosthetics and Orthotics after graduation as a technician. Rusty then obtained a Certificate of Prosthetics from Northwestern University School of Medicine and became resident prosthetist. He made Procare’s commitment to patient relationship and care his passion, and “Limbmaker” spent the next 22 years caring for their patients and team. In 2013, he was named the company’s Chief Operating Officer.

Whatever Rusty started, he committed himself to wholeheartedly, and he was never content to work just for himself. He became a respected leader in his field, serving as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (2011), as well as board member (2008-2015) and President (2011-2013) of the Georgia Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists. He served as a speaker and consultant for the industry. He loved to mentor and support young people interested in his field.

Rusty was a natural and capable leader, and he served two local churches as a ruling elder over the years, East Lanier Community Church (PCA) and Restoration Presbyterian Church (PCA). In addition, he helped found Oak Hill Classical School and became a permanent board member in 2009.

But the profession and positions he held were far less important to Rusty than the people he knew and served and loved. He was a fierce and loyal friend, with a quick wit and a quicker laugh. He could make conversation with anyone; visiting a favorite restaurant with him was like accompanying the mayor. His broad love for music meant an evening on his back porch could be accompanied by anything from country to pop to hip-hop. He was generous with wisdom and with love, and nothing made him happier than when he found himself at ease with his “people.” And they will miss him.

Rusty was preceded in death by his father, James, and a sister, Beth. In addition to his wife and children, Rusty is survived by his mother, Carol Walker, of Fortson, GA; brothers Kevin (with wife Melissa and nephews Matt and Chris) of Carlinville, Illinois; Mike (with wife Allison) of Petersburg, Illinois; and Ryan (with wife Kelly) of Fortson, Georgia; his aunt, Cheryl Sanders (with cousin Christina), of Tampa, Florida; and his uncle, Richard Hooper (with wife Sandy and cousin Alexandria), of Taylorville, Illinois.