James Lorenzo Walker

Obituary

James Lorenzo Walker, 83 a lifetime resident of Naples died Sunday November 16th, 2003. He was born on Marco Island, November 1, 1920 to pioneer parents, Forrest and Adnie Walker. Forrest being the first baby born in Survey, now known as Bonita Springs. They moved to Naples in early 1921 when the population was 125. He graduated from the Naples High School in May 1939 as Valedictorian of a class of 5 students. He served in the US Army Air Corp. from 1943-1946 as a Flexible Gunnery Instructor and a Frangible Bullet Researcher.

Lorenzo, with his father and brother Robert L. Walker were the developers of Aqualane Shores, Bonita Shores, Little Hickory Shores and Myrtle Cove Acres of Naples and Collier County. He became a real estate broker and originated James L. Walker Real Estate in September 1953 which was office number 4 in the MLS of Naples. Mr. Walker was a member of the Planning Committee that formed zoning of the City of Naples from 1948-1950. Much of what is still in effect today.

Mr. Walker was on the Board of Directors for Naples Church of God from 1946 to present; Collier County Commissioner, District 4, from 1950 to 1956; Elected State House of Representatives from 1956-1974 of which he served as Speaker Pro-Tem from 1967-1968 and was Dean of the House when he retired from public office November 1974 after 24 years of service. One of his accomplishments was to get a vocational technical center in Collier County, later it was named in his honor - Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology; Former Board of Director - Lee University, Cleveland, TN and Director Emeritus of International College of Naples; Advisory Council of the Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology; Founding Director of the original First National Bank of Naples, Citizens National Bank; Vanderbilt Bank; Founding Director and Board Member of Bank of Florida; Served over 40 years as Director of local banks; Member of Naples Area Board of Realtors since 1953; Past Commander (two terms) of the American Legion Post #135, Naples; Past President-Naples Lions Club; Founding Director-Naples Community Hospital; Director of Collier Historical Society and Bonita Springs Historical Society.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Marguerite Lanier; Daughters, Barbara Ann (James) Vickery of Naples; Carolyn (Phillip) Hammond of Savannah, GA; Three sisters; Katherine Worth of Okeechobee; Zelda Gilbert of Estero; Lottie Stephens of Bonita Springs; sister-in-law Marlys Walker of Naples, brother-in-law Rev. David (Betty) Lanier of Cleveland, TN; and six grandchildren, Melissa Rose, Margery Bernhardt, Rebecca Larocque, Nichole Pearson, Sheridan Ford and Regina Stockton and eleven grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road on Wednesday, November 19th from 5-8 PM and Thursday from 12-1 PM at the Naples Church of God, 1074 10th Street North. Funeral services 1 PM at the Church. Interment Naples Memorial Gardens.

Donations in his memory may be made to Lorenzo Walker Memorial Foundation, C/O Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology, 3702 Estey Ave., Naples, FL 34104.