R. Max Walton

Roger Max Walton was born in Broaddus, TX on February 25, 1937, the son of Roger Hillman Walton and Hazel Holland Walton. He departed this life on March 22, 2026 in Nacogdoches, TX. He was 89 years of age.

Max earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a schoolteacher, department store clerk, and door-to-door candy salesman before beginning a long career as a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Agency for International Development. He lived and worked in many countries, including Vietnam, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mauritania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Eritrea, Haiti, Pakistan, Montenegro, and Kosovo. While on assignment in Africa, he met his wife, Merilyn, who was working as a missionary; they would go on to share 48 years of marriage and a lifetime of global travel.

His hobbies included tennis, cycling, bridge, and reciting poetry.

Max is survived by his sons, Roger Walton and wife Ruzanna of Chevy Chase, MD and Stanley Walton of Nacogdoches, TX; grandchildren Lia Walton and Alex Walton; sister, Hazel Sanders of Fairfield, TX; along with many friends and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Merilyn Pinson Walton; parents Roger Hillman Walton and Hazel Holland Walton; sisters Mamie Gay Davenport and Bonnie Ruth Windsor; and an infant son.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday April 1st at 2PM at First Baptist Church, Nacogdoches with Pastor Dr. Noel Dear officiating. Visitation will be immediately before, starting at 1PM at the church. He will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park following services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org).

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.