Gary Ray Walker

1932 - 2020

Gary Ray Walker

Nashville - Gary Ray Walker, 87, of Nashville, Tennessee, died July 8, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be delayed until a later time. A small graveside service will be held Monday, July 13 at 10 a.m. at Lilly Ridge Cemetery near Gainesville, Missouri. Those attending are asked to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings.

He was born Oct. 7, 1932, in Romance, Missouri, the son of James Arles and Ivy Naugle Walker. He graduated in 1950 from Gainesville High School and went on to graduate from what is now Missouri State University. He also attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

While in college, he began writing songs. One of them, "Trademark", was recorded by Carl Smith and rose to #2 on the Billboard country music charts. Other artists who recorded Mr. Walker's songs included Jim Reeves, Porter Wagoner, Brenda Lee, Kitty Wells, Leroy Van Dyke, Mandy Barnett and George Morgan.

On June 20, 1954, in Gainesville he married Peggy Jo Boone, his high school sweetheart. They had two children, Gregory Paul and Karen Lynn. In 1956, the Walkers moved to Nashville, where he worked for 25 years in various facets of the country music industry, as a song "plugger", recording studio owner, music publisher and in artist management.

As a hobby, he began selling records and comic books at flea markets and mall shows, a move that eventually led him to leave the music industry in 1977 and open a retail business, The Great Escape, which became a Nashville icon, much loved by many. He opened another Great Escape store in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1977, a third store in Madison, Tennessee in 1983, and fourth Great Escape store in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1987. In 2000, The Great Escape Online was added to the store chain.

After selling the retail chain in November 2017, Mr. Walker focused his energy on The Great Escape Music Group, which included three publishing companies and a record label, Great Escape Records- which had a number one hit in the Bluegrass/Gospel genre.

Mr. Walker was a member of Woodmont Christian Church and several music industry organizations.

He was a loving, caring father and husband who was devoted to his family and friends. He loved to laugh and was happiest when sharing stories and gatherings with those he held dear. He was proud of his Ozark County roots, and he and his family faithfully attended the annual Walker family reunion held in Missouri, most recently in 2019 in Branson..

He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Nashville; his son, Greg Walker of Nashville and his daughter, Karen Walker of Radford, VA; sisters-in-law Louise Walker of Wichita, Kansas, Donna Walker of Ava, Missouri, Beth Walker of Memphis, Tennessee; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, including great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his four brothers Ralph, Russell, Larry and James Walker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodmont Christian Church Capital Campaign, 3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, Missouri.