Larry Walker and his First Night Akron button

BJ artist designs First Night Akron button

Larry Walker, who was in advertising and layout at the Beacon Journal for 11 years, designed the First Night Akron 2015 button. It was selected by a committee of past buttons artists.

The button will enable admission to 12 venues of entertainment on New Year's Eve from 6 p.m.-midnight.

Kent State graduate Walker, a graphic designer and artist, went from the BJ to J.C. Penney as advertising manager and art director. Then he changed career course, got his college degree and became an art teacher at St. Joseph's School, Cuyahoga Falls High School, University of Akron and Central Hower High School, where he remained until retirement in 1999.

The $10 button is worn by thousands of revelers for admission to 12 venues of entertainment on New Year's Eve. First Night Akron takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 from 6 p.m.-midnight.

There’s far more to the Larry Walker story. He helped former Falls High baseball coach John Anspach and worked in the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Baseball Association program.

Larry and his wife also adopted several children who had problems in their lives or with their bodies. They lived on Portage Trail, just up the hill from the bridge that crosses over the Falls Freeway and Ohio Route 8.