R. Walton

R. Edwin "Ed" Walton passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2007. He was born December 5, 1930, grew up in Little Rock, and in 1949 graduated from Little Rock High School. He went on to graduate from Hendrix College, as did his father and later, his son. He worked at Commercial National Bank on through their mergers with First National Bank and Regions Bank. He was a Sr. Vice President and head of the Private Banking Department. After twenty-two years he retired, but continued to value his friendships with former co-workers and customers. Being stricken with polio and paralyzed at the age of six, it was a blessing that the Sister Kenny treatments were available and he was able to recover enough to lead a full and productive life. He was an avid sportsman. Although he enjoyed golf and hunting, he most loved playing tennis. He played tennis competitively and for fun throughout his life. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and a supporter of the Arkansas Tennis Association. He was an active member of the community, serving on several boards, including that of the Visiting Nurses Association of Arkansas and Arkansas Research Medical Testing Center. Also, he was a member of the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge and Scimitar Shrine Temple, and a proud member of St. James United Methodist Church and the New Challenges Sunday School Class. Ed was known for his warm and pleasant personality, his dry wit and his ability to make friends easily. He was understated in every aspect of his life, both with his personal struggles and his many accomplishments. He was the epitome of a gentleman, as he truly was a gentle man. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, James W. and Ruby R. Walton, a son, James C. Walton and a brother, James W. Walton II. He is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Jane Cook Walton; a son, Richard A. Walton and his wife, Kayoko, of Japan; and a daughter, Katherine W. Roche and her husband, Paul A. Roche, of Potomac, Maryland. He is also survived by his precious grandchildren, Naomi Elizabeth, Mina Ann and Kent Edward Walton of Japan, and Nicole Elizabeth, Megan Jane and Matthew Walton Roche of Potomac, Maryland. He was a kind and loving husband and father and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 1, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock. Funeral service will be on Monday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Pallbearers will be Dr. Bill Floyd, Dr. Jim Deer, Dr. Jim Flack, Dr. Joe Bates, Mr.Gus Fulk, and Mr. Ted Callaway. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the New Challenges Class at St. James United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to St. James United Methodist Church or Hendrix College. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200.  Click here to view Mr. Walton's Video Tribute.