Emmon was born on April 10, 1925, to James Roger Walton, Sr. and Annie Moore Walton in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Emmon grew up on a 116 acre farm, deeded to his father, Papa James, and uncle, Clifton Walton, by Emmon’s grandmother Harriet. Emmon was nurtured in that idyllic hamlet in Waterford, Mississippi by his mother, father and nine brothers and sisters: Thelma Walton Holland; James Roger Walton, Jr.; Cleva Walton Scales Matthews; Beulah Walton McKinnon; Elmore LeRoy Walton; Annie Seale Walton Dowsing; Voree Walton Gordon; Ida Walton Wilkins; and Glenn Dempsey Walton; and with his first cousins: Fred Walton; Katherine Walton; Rush Walton; Madison Walton, and William Walton. During his childhood years Emmon spent much of his time helping out on the farm, attending and participating in the Walton Chapel (C.M.E.) Church activities, and educating himself in business at Industrial College and at Rust College.
On June 23, 1944, Emmon (age 19) was drafted into the Marines and was stationed at Camp Lejuene, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Emmon was honorably discharged on January 10, 1945. After discharge, Emmon moved west of the Mississippi river to Denver, Colorado and completed his education at Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver, where he studied electronics, radio and television repair; and where he met his future wife, Pearline Pigford.
Emmon married Pearline on June 30, 1946 at Pearline’s family home at 2333 Ogden Street, Denver, Colorado. The officiant was Reverend Hamilton; the pastor of Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Emmon was an active member of Campbell. He taught Sunday school and was an usher for 10 years. Emmon was a Trustee of the church for 8 years.
Emmon graduated from Emily Griffith Opportunity School on June 12, 1947 and opened a home-based radio/television repair business. During 1948, Emmon went to work at the Federal Center as a clerk. Three years later he transferred to the newly opened U.S. Air Force Accounting and Finance Center located at 3800 York St. Emmon worked for the Finance Center from 1948-1980. At age 55 Emmon retired from the U.S. Air Force Accounting and Finance Center on May 30, 1980, after 32 years of faithful service.
Emmon and Pearline began their family in 1948 with the birth of their first child, Emmogene (Walton) Boyce (born April 23, 1948). Five children followed: Earline (Walton) Hill (born August 4, 1951); Emmon Eugene Walton (born May 6, 1953); Earnest Hugo Walton (born April 1, 1955); Edmond Robert (aka Bobby) Walton (born July 10, 1957); and Edna Elaine (Walton) Hightower (born January 9, 1959). They fulfilled their dream of having 3 boys and 3 girls.
Emmon was driven by his need to forge his own “place in the sun” and by his need to be appreciated and respected for what he was able to do, create, and make happen. He made decisions and choices guided by what he needed and wanted for himself: freedom from racial discrimination, love, admiration, effectiveness and children—lots of them. He knew that achieving success in life hinged on learning, improving himself, and growing through his life experiences.
Emmon made many friends over the years, he created the stability he wanted for his family, he maintained a successful career, and most importantly, he sustained a loving partnership with his wife, Pearline, his “pearl of great worth.” Emmon’s passion was his family.
Emmon is survived by his children Emmogene (Walton) Boyce; Earline (Walton) Hill; Earnest Hugo Walton; Edmond Robert Walton; and Edna Elaine (Walton) Hightower; and by his grandchildren: Chanel Elaine (Boyce) Dixon; Andrea Petryce (Boyce) Scott; Edward Eugene Hill; Rochelle Marie (Hill) Jones; Antionette Terese (Walton) Stores; Danette (Walton) Hudson; Ericka (Walton) Alexander; Yvonne Walton; Amanda LaTresa Walton; Emmon Eugene Walton, Jr.; Aretha Aletha (Walton) Saintil; Ernest Jeffrey Hightower; Dionne Petryce Hightower; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his spouse, Pearline (Pigford) Walton; his son, Emmon Eugene Walton; his granddaughter, Corynne Shenae Davenport; his parents: James Roger Walton and Annie Moore Walton; his brothers and sisters: Thelma Walton Holland; James Roger Walton, Jr.; Cleva Walton Scales Matthews; Beulah Walton McKinnon; Elmore LeRoy Walton; Annie Seale Walton Dowsing; Voree Walton Gordon; Ida Walton Wilkins; and Glenn Dempsey Walton; and by his first cousin Madison Walton.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 12:30 pm at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado, 80229.
Funeral services will be Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm at Olinger Highland Mortuary with the Pastor Kelvin Belfon officiating.
Interment will follow at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado, 80229.
Pallbearers will be Haven M. Scott, Carl Dixon, Jr., Jeff Hightower, Carl Dixon, Relon Scott and Haven A. Scott.
Memorials or donations may be made to The Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama. On July 7, 2003, Emmon pledged to take a stand against hate and to work for justice and tolerance in his daily life by placing his name on the Wall of Tolerance housed in The Civil Rights Memorial Center. Honor him by donating to a cause he believed in at: Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org.
Fond memories of Emmon and expressions of sympathy for his family may be shared at the guest book below.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18