Extracted from The Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, NM)
WALTON
James Kelly Walton, 87, died Monday, January 1, 2007 in his home in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, following a brief illness.
He was born October 31, 1919 in Anna, IL in his family home, son of James K. and Norma Grisham Walton. A 1941 Texas Tech Geology grad, he worked for City Service Co. in Kansas City. In WWII, in the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion 3rd Army (nicknamed by German Lt. Col. Joachen Peiper, “The Dammed Engineers”) he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and the spanning of the Rhine at Remagen. Separated from the Army in 1946, he returned to Kansas City, where he was a founding member of the Americans for Democratic Action, worked for civil rights, and was a member of the Army Reserves. Called to duty again in 1951, during the Korean War, he was stationed in Germany with the 1402 Engineer Battalion as an officer in one of the first integrated units in the Army, he met and married Dorothy “Tooker” Cathey. He served tours of duty from Vietnam to Orleans, France, retiring in 1968 with his family to his mother's home of Albuquerque, NM.
His passions were people, reading, history, politics and art. Mr. Walton said he found his avocation of bookkeeping when was the business manager of the Cathedral Church of Saint John. He was later business manager of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and was elected Diocesan Treasurer following his retirement in 1984. Next he pursued his interest in philanthropy, serving as treasurer and president of the June Music Festival and Sandia Prep School. Mr. Walton opened his house for non-profit events and various Democratic candidates and took particular pleasure with his wife in hosting luncheons outdoors when their orchard bloomed. He supported Sandia Prep School, NM Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, League of Women Voters, Albuquerque Museum Foundation, Albuquerque Community Foundation, ACCION, Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, KNME-TV, National Dance Institution, Chamber Music Albuquerque, St. John's Cathedral and others.
Mr. Walton is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, Thomas Kenneth Walton and wife, Jacqueline; and granddaughter, Amanda Cunningham Walton, all of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Susan Ellen Walton; son, James Kelly Walton; and grandchildren Madeleine and James K. “Zeke” Walton, all of Los Ranchos.
Cremation has taken place. Interment of cremated remains will take place at the Anna Cemetery family plot this spring. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2007, 1:30 p.m., at Cathedral Church of Saint John, 318 Silver Ave. SW.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of his favorite charities. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
Thursday, January 4, 2007