Updated: Several memorial services planned for Flying Possum owner Bruce Walker
With the news that Flying Possum Leather owner Bruce Walker passed away Monday morning, it was a sad day in Fayetteville.
It is also evident that Bruce made a lot of friends and touched a lot of lives in his time here in town.
A group of local musicians gathered in front of the store to play music in his honor this evening. Flowers have begun piling up on the bench outside the store, and residents gathered to listen to the music, and write messages to Bruce on the plywood boards that now cover the store’s windows.
Several more memorials and fundraisers are in the works for Bruce, and here are the details on the ones that we know about.
Memorial Fund
The Bruce D. Walker Memorial Fund has been established to help the family cover funeral expenses. Donations may be dropped off at any First Security Bank location.
Rogers Rec gathering
Several friends of Bruce will gather at Rogers Rec (406 W Dickson St) at around 6 p.m. Monday night (March 7) to raise a Busch (Bruce’s drink) in his honor. Owner Zac Wooden said that he’ll donate 1/2 of the sales from Busch beer tonight to the First Security Bank memorial fund.
Rogue benefit
Rogue will host a benefit for Bruce on with “Tuesday Blues Project,” featuring musicians Jeff Horton, Dave Johnson, Bill Hines, Amanda Rey, and others at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 10. Haley Shelton from the venue said that they’ll take donations Thursday night, and for the rest of the month for Bruce’s family.
George’s Majestic Lounge service
George’s Majestic Lounge will host a memorial and fundraiser for Bruce on Sunday, March 13 from around 1 p.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m. Bands include Mountain of Venus, Guta, Charliehorse, Sarah Hughes Band, and more. Proceeds from the event will also benefit the memorial fund in Bruce’s name.
Update: The lineup has grown to 16 bands now. Jed Clampit, Mark Bilyeu of Big Smith, Kory Montgomery Band, 1 Oz. Jig, Earl & Them, Pope County Bootleggers, Ultra Suede, Benjamin Del Shreve, Foxy’s Brown Bag Band, Big Un’s, Ozark Blues Society Jam, and Groovement have been added to the bill.
Jose’s service
The memorial on Sunday will move from George’s to Jose’s at around 5 or 6 p.m., according to organizer Joe Giles. There will also be music at Jose’s, and we’ll let you know once the lineup has been released.
Update: Just got word that the benefit at Jose’s has been postponed until 3/20. The event will now include music, a silent auction, and the proceeds will go to a fund established to start and perpetuate the Bruce D. Walker Memorial Stage at Springfest
Impromptu sidewalk vigil
An impromptu service was held on the sidewalk outside Flying Possum Leather Monday afternoon. Below is a set of photos taken by local photographer Chris Clanton. For more, visit the full set on Flickr.
Note: Big thanks to local photographer Chris Clanton for providing the above photos.
Bruce Walker owner Flying Possum Leather, we will miss wondering into your shop and just hanging around to listen to your stories & sharing opinions. My sincere condolences to your family, we’ll see you again, but until then our hearts will ache.
Wow, I live 400 miles away now, and can still remember my college days going into his store…I STILL have a belt and Birks that I bought there. It may seem trivial, but does anyone know about his dog? It was always right there with him everytime I saw him.
Kevin F.
St Louis
Bugsy, his dog is at the shelter and safe….family will get him when they arrive I assume. There was mention of him in an earlier post and news story.
His dog, Bugsy, survived the fire and was reported to be taken to the local animal shelter. They are allowing 10 days for the family to claim him before they put him up for adoption.
George’s announced some of the bands that will be performing at the memorial service on Sunday. So far, it’s Charliehorse, Guta, Sarah Hughes Band, and Mountain of Venus.
Bugsy will be picked up in the morning by Bruce’s family, according to reports from the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. She won’t last long without Bruce I’m afraid.
I’ve know Bruce since the “good old days”. He was a true friend. You will be missed.
The world has lost another angel. I just bought my sandals in September and was looking forward to my tune up and visit. I always stopped in to see Bruce and Bugsy during Bikes Blues and BBQ. He always had a story. I will miss his easy way, his smile and his hugs. He was going to be putting a pair of his sandals on display in the new World Trade Center in NYC. He made a mistake on my first soles and actually was going to use them for the display. He was a very nice guy with a great gift and wonderful attitude. Who will tune up my brand new sandals and tell me how to take care of them. RIP Bruce. You will be greatly missed by many.
Don’t despare, Bruce lives on in his Brother Bob. Bob taught Bruce how to make shoes and boots way back when..I’m sure if you need some help with how-to-take care of your sandels Brother Bob would be glad to help.
We will be in Fayetteville this week and look forward to meeting you all at some of the events that are planned.
Rumor has it that Bugsy will be staying on Dickson, adopted by the owners of Condom Sense.
Update: Just got word that the benefit planned for Jose’s on Sunday (3/13) has been postponed until 3/20. The event will now include music, a silent auction, and the proceeds will go to a fund established to start and perpetuate the Bruce D. Walker Memorial Stage at Springfest.
Another update: The lineup for the benefit on Sunday at George’s has grown to include 16 bands, and has been extended until 9:30.
In addition to Mountain of Venus, Guta, Charliehorse, Sarah Hughes Band, now Jed Clampit, Mark Bilyeu of Big Smith, Kory Montgomery Band, 1 Oz. Jig, Earl & Them, Pope County Bootleggers, Ultra Suede, Benjamin Del Shreve, Foxy’s Brown Bag Band, Big Un’s, Ozark Blues Society Jam, and Groovement have been added to the bill.
Bruce was a close family friend and will be missed deeply. We need more Bruce’s on this earth and it won’t be the same without him. John Aclin is waiting for you man…
8pm to 10pm on KXUA 88.3 FM tonight
Bruce Walker Flying Possum Memorial Honest Tunes Radio
Listen Live
http://kxua.uark.edu
Amen, Ashley. Words can’t express what I feel about Bruce and his death. Bruce and I were born in Searcy, Ark and grew up in the same neighborhood in Searcy,-Sunnyhill. I first knew Bruce in our first grade home room together, Mrs. Pullium’s, along with our very close friend, John Aclin. We were even in the Wolf Pack together (pre-cub scouts). He and his brother Robert taught me more about the guitar than anyone I’ve known. Bruce lived with me in Fayetteville when he first started working at Nelson’s Leather Shop, before he bought the shop in 1976. I remember thinking it was a weird but wonderful name he came up with for the shop. To say he was a unique character is a monumental understatement. It’s great to see how the people and town of Fayetteville are honoring him now. He always loved Dickson Street and thought Fayetteville to be the center of the universe. Now he will never leave….
ps. I am also the proud owner of Walker Strap #16