Dr. Ralph D. Walton, age 81, died Tuesday evening on February 13, 2018, in his home in Orlando, Florida surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 10, 1936, in Schofield Barracks Army Base, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dr. Walton, educator, began his teaching career in August 1959. He served as an educator uninterrupted for fifty-one years. During his long tenure he served as a high school science teacher, a congressional district science and math consultant, curriculum director, elementary principal, high school principal, and private school headmaster. On the collegiate level he served as Professor of Education, Director of Educational Field Experiences, and Director of Student Teaching at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Walton holds a B.S. in Biology and Education, a M.Ed. in Science Education, an Ed.S. in Science and a Ed.D. in School Administration. Dr. Walton has received a number of recognitions and awards including STAR Teacher of the Year three times; County Teacher of the Year; Congressional District Teacher of the Year; Christian Teacher of the Year; Education Professor of the Year and the Jim Henry Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service to The First Academy. Dr. Walton retired from school administration in 2001. He then taught chemistry at The First Academy until 2010 when he retired completely.
Throughout his adult life he proclaimed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He taught Bible classes for many years and was a member of First Baptist Orlando.
Dr. Walton was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Roy Walton and Mary Frances DeLoach Walton; and his sister, Jo Anne Walton Mock. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Jean Walton; daughter, Deedra Walton, (both of Orlando); one sister and brother-in-law, Avis and Clyde Loper (Newnan, Georgia); niece and nephew, Mary Ellen Goodbee (John) and Michael Murchison (Statesboro, Georgia); niece and nephew, Marcie Cole (Keith) (Woodstock, Georgia) and Brian Loper (Susan) (Tuscaloosa, Alabama).
Jean and Deedra would like to thank Ralph’s sitters, Sissie Bryan and Belinda Shaw, for the wonderful care they gave him the last 11 months of his life. Their loving care allowed us to honor Ralph’s wish to remain at home. Our heartfelt thanks also to Cornerstone Hospice for the services they provided in his final months.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2018, in Henry Chapel, First Baptist Orlando (10:00 AM Visitation; 12:00 PM Reception). The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson Association of Central Florida (http://www.parkinsoncf.org/) or The First Academy (https://thefirstacademy.org/)
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