We suffer great sadness at losing such a kind and loving family patriarch, but express our joy that his suffering is done and he is with his Lord and savior and other family members. Great stories, some of them true, are being told in heaven right now.
Lawrence Junior Walton, 82, died Christmas Eve at Integris Hospice in OKC. His nurse put a Sooner shirt on this beloved and devoted OU fan, and he slipped the mortal bonds to be with God.
Larry, as he was known by many, was born February 26, 1937 in OKC to Lawrence Harry “Jack” Walton and Ruby (Mullins). The fourth of seven children, Larry was known by his brothers, sisters—and later nieces and nephews—as “Petie.” It was a nickname of some dubious origin of which it’s probably best not to say in a family paper.
He played numerous sports and attended Central High School, graduating in 1955. Walton then joined the Navy, serving four years in various parts of the world, including the Middle East around the time of the Suez Crisis. He then attended close to a year at Central State University (now UCO) in Edmond.
He met Sonja Slaughter and they wed in Jan 1962. They had three children and lived in many places while Walton worked to find his way in the world. His personal charm and work ethic eventually guided him to extreme success as a car salesman. Larry Walton was the Beatles of salesman at Gene Williams Chevrolet, being named Salesman of the Decade, earning Legion of Leaders and Hall of Fame honors for years upon years. In 1974, Walton was named Gene Williams’ salesman of the month nine out of 12 months. Some loyal customers ended up on buying three and four cars from him during his career, which also included stints at Adams Chevrolet and David Stanley Chevrolet (which acquired Gene Williams Chevrolet near the end of his career).
Walton and Sonja eventually separated but stayed friends for life. He met Carmelita Sedbrook in 1978, and they made a life together from that point on. They traveled to Jamaica, Alaska, California and many other places together, but also held court at their Moore home where many people came to swim and hear some great stories told by Larry-Uncle Petie.
Always knowing there was a hole in his being, Walton gave his life to the Lord Jesus in the early 1990s. He began attending the Rock Assembly of God Church around the same time and never wavered from that congregation, making many lifelong friends. You could always visit the Rock and find him and Carm sitting on the inside part of the right section, row 3 or so. Listen carefully and you could even hear him offer a refrain or two during the sermon. Larry loved to talk and to be heard, for sure.
Walton, like many in this state, was a devoted OU football season ticketholder for decades. He was unmistakable in his long, gray hair and gray beard, sitting in the south endzone seats and high-fiving the front row of fans whenever OU scored a touchdown. Boomer Sooner!
Walton was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings: Edward, Pauline, Jean, Donald, Bobby and Larry (yes two Larrys). He also was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Ryan Kirtley, and by Carmelita’s son, Bill Sedbrook. Walton loved deeply and mourned deeply at the loss of all of these loved ones.
He is survived by his wife, Carmelita; by his sons, Lawrence Rodney Walton of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Russell Sedbrook of Moore; his daughters, Tamara Sponburg of Moore and Barbie Smith of Newalla; six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Visitation noon to 8pm Friday Dec 27 at Advantage Funeral Home 7720 S. Penn. Funeral services will be 10 am Saturday Dec 28 at the Rock Assembly of God, 12500 S. Pennsylvania Ave., OKC. Interment will be 11 am at the Sunnylane Cemetery in Del City. Flowers or donations made to Rock Assembly of God.
