Tommy "Tom" W. Walton

Tom was born December 18, 1951, in Philadelphia, Mississippi to Rachel A. Walton and Boyd V. Walton, Jr. His father’s career with Southern Bell resulted in many relocations for the family during Tom’s childhood. They moved from Mississippi to Knoxville, Tennessee, to Atlanta, Georgia, to Westfield, New Jersey, and back to Atlanta again where Tom graduated from Lakeside High School in 1969.

Tom went on to attend Mississippi State University before following in his father’s footsteps and beginning his 43-year career with the telephone company. He quickly worked his way through a series of jobs starting with a mail clerk position with Southern Bell and eventually retiring in 2013 as Executive Director IT – Outage/Incident and Problem Management at AT&T Services, Inc. Tom most enjoyed using his knowledge of information technology and managerial experience to encourage and mentor others. The friendships made during his career were treasured throughout his life.

In 1984, while working in Atlanta for BellSouth, Tom met Kathy Holland, his loving wife of 38 years. Together they were the proud parents of two children, Rachel and Jonathan. In 1989 Tom’s work relocated the family to Birmingham where he and Kathy raised their children in Mountain Brook.

Tom will be remembered for his kind heart, generous spirit, innovative thinking, remarkable ability to problem-solve, and genuine love for his family and friends. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather – always putting the needs of others first. His favorite place on earth was Lake Martin, Alabama and his passion (like his father’s) was creating lasting family memories for his children and grandchildren at the lake.

His grandkids will forever cherish their memories of Granddaddy teaching them to drive the boat, taking them on countless tube rides around the Needle’s Eye, making ice cream for them almost daily, and providing them with just about every fun lake toy you can imagine. Tom loved early morning boat rides with a cup of coffee, sitting on the dock, organizing family photos, taking the backroads, watching college football games, and walking the family’s black Labrador Retriever, Layla.

Tom is survived by his mother Rachel; his wife Kathy; his daughter Rachel Knowlton (Keith); his son Jonathan; and his sister Vickie Rader (Dave). He is also survived by four loving grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Henry, Frances, and Crawford Knowlton. Tom was preceded in death by his father Boyd.

Although their hearts are heavy with grief, Tom’s family rejoices that he is now in his heavenly home and that his faith in Christ has been made sight.

A celebration of life service will be held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation with the family will immediately follow at the church in Hudson Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom’s name may be sent to Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin (a ministry to seriously ill children and their families) or to Mountain Brook Baptist Church.