Andrew Keithline Walker

1952 - 2026

Andrew Keithline Walker
January 9, 1952 -
March 14, 2026
Andrew Keithline Walker, a life-long resident of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away in the morning hours of Saturday, March 14 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
He was a noted community banker and a prominent leader. At his bedside were his beloved soulmate of fifty-two years, Janet, and his close-knit, namesake, only son, Drew. After growing up in Gainesville with his mother Hazel and sister Christy and attending Gainesville City Schools and playing football at GHS, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a cum laude degree in Banking and Finance. With his bride, Janet at his side, Andy began an illustrious career that took him from Managerial Trainee to Bank President … a journey that took them to Auburn, AL; Freeport, TX; Dalton, GA; Johns Creek, GA; and home again to Gainesville.
Andy's father died in his early thirties leaving his young son with an iconic reverence for his father and a creed to live life to the fullest. A gracious and generous host, Andy shared his wealth, his parties, his home, and his Cuban cigars with his many friends. Andy augmented that joyful vivacity with a serious sense of responsibility to be there for his family and friends and to be successful while serving others.
A dying Jesus directed his disciples toward lives of service, and, as a Christian, Andy lived a life in harmony with that directive. One can find evidence of his altruistic dedication in the long list of positions he held serving his banking profession and supporting his social community as well.
Andy continued to advance in the banking world. When Jim Meadows suggested Andy move to Texas where the two could work together, with Jim as mentor, they forged an enduring friendship. Andy then became President of Georgia First Bank of Gainesville. As founding CEO of First National Bank of Johns Creek, Andy set Statewide Georgia records for raising the initial capital. He was also founding President of First National Bank of Forsyth County. When Andy's father-in-law in Dalton needed a president for the Alliance National Bank, Andy answered the call.
Serving his community, wherever he was, Andy Walker seemed to rise automatically to the top positions of leadership, and he gravitated naturally to charitable organizations. Rotary, with its motto of "service above self" was a perpetual favorite avenue of involvement to which Andy had pledged himself. He was President of Mountain Top Rotary in Highlands, NC, President-Elect in Gainesville, and a member in Dalton, He was the charter president of The Rotary Club in Johns Creek.
Too many to name are his voluntary positions as director and chair of various economic development councils, Chambers of Commerce, and business associations. For example, he was Director of the United Way of Hall County, Director of the Hall County Girls Club, and Director of the Christian Education Center.
Valuing education, he continued his own formal training at The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. Constantly giving back, he was made an Honorary Lifetime Foundation Trustee of Gainesville College for his contributions there as Chair of the Foundation.
He was also Chair of the Brenau University Advisory Board of Trustees and was their 2004 Community Volunteer of the Year.
In 2005, Andy envisioned a small group of his closest friends coming together annually at his Highlands home to enjoy their common bond of friendship. He called it "The Ironman of Highlands." Soon, the men added civic service to their activities. Appearing from this altruistic idea came "The Ironman Charity Fund," which exists today.
A faithful member of the Episcopal Church, Andy was motivated by his love for Christ, to serve as Senior Warden, Vestryman, and Lay Eucharistic Minister of Gainesville Grace Episcopal Church, In Dalton, he was Junior Warden and Lay Eucharistic Minister at St Mark's Episcopal. In Auburn, AL, he was Senior Warden, Vestryman, and State Delegate for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Andy's parents, Hazel McGee Livingston and William John Walker predeceased him, as did his sister, Christy Whitaker. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Janet; son Andrew, Jr (Drew) and his wife Alesha; grandchildren Kline Walker and Alley Walker; sisters-in-law Karen Booth (Frank) and Pat Turner; nieces Katie Whitaker Whitehouse (Seth), Jamie Williams (Dave), Whitney Brown (Chris); nephew Brad Syfan (Lyndsay); cousin and best friend, Bill Roper and his wife, Pam.
A service for Andy Walker will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, March 28 at Grace Episcopal Church with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, a donation to any of the following organizations is appreciated:
• Grace Episcopal Church (gracechurchgainesville.org)
• North Georgia Health System Foundation (nghs.com)
• The Ironman of Highlands Charitable Fund
(http://communityfoundationnwga.org))
Andy carried out his personal promise to be there for his family. He cared for his mother and his sister throughout their lives. Anyone who ever spent even a few minutes with Andy could count on his receiving a business phone call from his protege and banking compadre, son Drew. As a Gainesville High School boy, Andy met his future bride Janet, when she was in the tenth grade at Brenau Academy, beginning and maintaining a marital bond that would continue through the decades … such a constant and loving union, that it was difficult even to utter one name without the other … "Janet 'n Andy."
Andy Walker was 74.
Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com