'Freedom Flyer' operator, mayoral candidate dies

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By HILARY KINDSCHUH / Lincoln Journal Star

Gary Walker, the man who defied Lincoln’s smoking ban by transforming a bus into a smoking lounge, died early Wednesday at his home. He was 63.

Walker’s son, Scott Walker, said his father had been dealing with  health issues for years. The family is not planning a formal funeral, he said.

After Lincoln voters approved a smoking ban in 2004, Gary Walker was determined to send a message that city officials had no right to tell citizens where they could and could not smoke.

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Gary Walker poses inside the "Freedom Flyer." Walker died Wednesday at age 63. (LJS File)

Gary Walker poses inside the "Freedom Flyer." Walker died Wednesday at age 63. (LJS File)

So he bought a 36-foot former city bus, dubbed it the “Freedom Flyer,” and transformed it into a smoking lounge with tables, chairs and ashtrays and parked it outside the Hi-Way Diner at 2105 Nebraska 2, owned by his son, Scott.

“He wanted to find a comfortable place for our very loyal patrons to venture to when they came to see us,” Scott said.

Gary Walker was charged with violating the city’s zoning law but won in court.

The city lost again on appeal.

Walker taught his son “there’s not a challenge large enough that you cannot overcome,” Scott said.

Walker got rid of the bus at the end of September, saying upkeep had become a problem, due to mischievous teens.

“I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish,” he said. “I proved my point.”

In addition to the Hi-Way Diner, Gary Walker and his wife, Sherri, owned a number of other eateries throughout the years, including Dagwood’s Deli sandwich shops. 

Around the time he sold the Freedom Flyer, Walker announced he planned to run for mayor.

“I won’t win but I don’t care,” said Walker, who described himself as a conservative Republican. “We need a new city government, and I'm just so, so mad at this city it’s unbelievable. ... I honestly believe I can do a better job than anybody on the ballot so far.”

Scott said the announcement came as a surprise to his family, and he’s not sure how serious his father was about running.

“Usually when he said something, he had every intention of following through,” Scott said.

Reach Hilary Kindschuh at 473-7120 or hkindschuh@journalstar.com