John Newton Walker

Travelers Rest, SC - John Newton Walker, husband of Patricia Carroll Walker, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, after complications from a rare form of cancer, Sézary Syndrome. He was 72.

Born in Greenville, SC on February 20, 1953, John was the youngest son of the late George Herman Walker Jr. and Elizabeth Wilson Walker. In his youth, when school was not in session, he could be found camping, hunting, and fishing around his family's cabin in River Falls or working on farmland property north of Travelers Rest. After graduating from Wade Hampton High School in 1971, John entered Presbyterian College. There, at the urging of his advisor, he took an aptitude test to figure out which career to pursue. The answer: "an adventurous farmer."

Eager to live out his calling, John graduated magna cum laude in 1975 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Returning to Greenville, he joined his oldest brother Herman in managing the family businesses-property management, land development, and other real estate investments. They named their partnership Wilson Farms Company, a nod to their grandfather and the original "adventurous farmer" in the family, C. Douglas Wilson.

In 1981, John met the love of his life, Patty. Newly married, the couple dedicated themselves to restoring the George Salmon House, a historic farm home with an expansive view of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, including Sassafras Mountain. It was from this picturesque location that John passionately pursued his lifelong interests in land preservation, farming, history, archaeology, birdwatching, fishing, and hunting deer, waterfowl, and upland game-to name a few.

Affectionately called "Big John" and "Dadger" by those who loved him, John was as comfortable in a tuxedo as he was on a tractor. He enjoyed rubbing shoulders with everyone everywhere, and his distinctive voice was legendary, carrying grand stories, rich laughter, and special life lessons. Most would say the best times spent with John were on his porch by the fire, discussing recent hunts, family developments, and the natural world. But he didn't limit these experiences to a lucky few, choosing instead to welcome everyone, especially youth, to the farm for unforgettable first-time hunting and fishing adventures.

To his family, John was an anchor, humbly and joyfully showing them what it meant to be a husband and a father, a steward of the land, and a selfless leader. His faith was a formidable source of strength and comfort throughout his life, and he enjoyed attending Mountain Hill Community Church with Patty.

John was also known for dedicating his time and knowledge to numerous organizations that supported the issues he cared about, including, but not limited to, Naturaland Trust, the Greenville County Historical Society, the Greenville County Bird Club, the National Wild Turkey Federation of South Carolina, and SCDNR's Take One Make One Program. Most recently, he served on the board of Foothills Family Resources, an organization helping to improve the quality of life of those in Northern Greenville County.

In addition to his wife of 42 years, John is survived by his sons, John Walker Jr. and his wife Vanessa of Travelers Rest, SC, Harriss Cottingham and his wife Mary of Greenville, SC, and Hallam Cottingham and his wife Teresa of Greenville, SC, as well as his grandchildren: Winslow Walker and Walker, Mary Hampton, Crosby, Hallam, Riley, and Bryce Cottingham. Also surviving are his brother, Herman Walker III and his wife Cary of Travelers Rest, SC; his sister-in-law, Maggie Walker of Seattle, WA; his sister-in-law, Lynn Mitchell and her husband Tommy of Greenville, SC; his brother-in-law, Robert Carroll and his wife Jane of Atlanta, GA; several nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. John was preceded in death by his parents and his middle brother, Douglas Wilson Walker.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greenville with a grand celebration of John's life following at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation (www.clfoundation.org), Foothills Family Resources (3 Main St., Slater, SC 29661), or Mountain Hill Community Church (34 The Cliffs Pkwy, Landrum, SC 29356).