Former 'Walking Dead' Stuntman Laid To Rest In New Orleans

ATLANTA, GA -- The stuntman who died in an accident on the set of "The Walking Dead" was laid to rest Saturday in a funeral service in New Orleans, Patch has learned. John Bernecker's service at Lake Lawn Funeral Home included a second line funeral procession, a New Orleans tradition.

In addition to several top producers from "The Walking Dead" who attended the funeral, remembrances poured in around the nation on social media. Jason Gupton, a fellow stuntman posted a touching Instagram tribute to Bernecker, whom he was close with.

"Today there will be a lot of tears shed remembering John," Gupton posted Saturday. "John was an amazing human and crazy talented stuntman. It's fair for us all to be upset, why would you not want someone to stay in your life that would constantly make you laugh, push you harder and always see that positive outlook. So from here on out, live like John and be that light in someone else's life."

Bernecker died from injuries suffered in a 30-foot drop on-set while taping a scene in early July. He passed away on July 12. A veteran of the film industry, he worked on several high-profile productions including "The Fate of the Furious," "Logan" "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" and "Blank Panther" here in Atlanta.

After his injury he was rushed to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was treated before he succumbed, AMC, the producer of "The Walking Dead," said in a statement immediately after the incident.

As evidenced by the outpouring of support he's gotten since the fatal accident, Bernecker was deeply loved by his colleagues on the set and in the industry. Several producers from the “The Walking Dead” skipped out on the Television Critics Association summer press tour in order to attend the funeral, according to Yahoo News.

According to his obituary, Bernecker owned a company, Prodigy Stunts LLC, and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television Actors.

"As a stuntman and coordinator, he performed in over 90 feature films and television shows," the obit reads. "John John mentored and encouraged many up and coming stuntmen and women to follow their dreams. His loving nature, constant smile, and wonderful sense of humor made him a friend to everyone he met and worked with. He was kind-hearted, generous and humble. He loved life and everyone loved John. He was a loving person that helped all who came in his path. John is the bright light that showed us all the way to live - one fantastic human being. We all should live like John."

Bernecker's family is raising funds on the website livelikejohnbernecker.com.

Image via Youtube / coolmn253