04/03/2026
Growing up in New York City, reading National Geographic magazine and visiting Grand Central Station with his grandfather, Lewis Walker often thought, “My dream was to get on a train and go somewhere.” This early wanderlust inspired a lifelong passion for exploring the globe, taking flight when he became one of the first recipients of the Certificate of Proficiency from the Civil Air Patrol. Driven to see the world, he studied international transportation at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service before embarking on military service as an Air Force officer. While serving as a transportation officer in Vietnam 1964-65 he made frequent trips to Hong Kong, adding to a desire to see the rest of an amazing and diverse world.
In 1975, he became the 171st Certified Financial Planner professional (CFP) in the world, a milestone that propelled his career and eventually led him to found the financial planning firm Walker Capital Management, in Norcross, GA. To help his clients build meaningful futures, he would always connect with them by asking what they imagined their mornings, afternoons, and evenings would look like during their working life and in retirement. Quite often, travel was a goal and he helped them to achieve the financial freedom that allowed them to actualize their goals. He took his own advice to heart, and alongside his beloved late wife of 55 years, he visited every continent, all 50 states, and over 90 countries.
Now, his own mornings, afternoons, and evenings in retirement are filled with that same unyielding desire to experience new cultures and continue learning through travel. When he returns home to Village Park, he is surrounded by a stunning visual diary of his life, as his apartment is packed with fine art, gleaming geodes, and worldwide memorabilia. Amidst these treasured artifacts, he swaps stories with delightful new friends, reminisces about past travels, and reflects on the incredible blessings he has enjoyed along the way.
Lewis's story is the first in our new, monthly series! Tell Your Story highlights the incredible adventures, talents, and legacies of our communities' residents, families, and associates. If you have a story you'd like to share, submit yours by emailing media@galerieliving.com or reaching out to your community's Life Enrichment Director!