Cleary: Loss Of Monterey Mayor Nathan Walker Will Be Felt Region-Wide

The loss of Monterey Mayor Nathan Walker will be felt region-wide.

Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said Walker was someone loved and respected by not only those in Monterey, but those who knew him across the Upper Cumberland for his knowledge and intellect. Cleary said he first met Walker while working as a reporter and covering Monterey Aldermen meetings.

“He was someone on that board that as you watched the meetings closely, followed the meetings, you could see he was highly intelligent, knew what was going on,” Cleary said. “So when you’re looking for information that you know is accurate, and that you can rely on, he was someone that stuck out to me.”

Cleary said once he became a city employee, that professional relationship grew into a friendship. Cleary said the biggest lessons he’ll take with him from Walker are to be kind to others, and to have respect for others even with a difference of opinion. Cleary said when he thinks of Walker, he thinks of respect, integrity, honesty, and kindness.

In addition to being good at his job, Cleary said that Walker was an incredible father to his children and a friend to his community.

“I’m confident when I say this, I’m not sure that I will run into another person in my life that has impacted me the way that Nathan Walker has,” Cleary said. “Not just about the job that I do here in Monterey but just life itself. We had a lot of conversations about like in general. that’s always going to stick with me.”

Cleary said he would be forever grateful that the Good Lord had his and Walker’s paths cross because Cleary has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and wisdom after spending time with Walker.