Walter “Glen” Walton, 90, of Amarillo, TX passed away June 23, 2023.
The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Monday, June 26, 2023, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at San Jacinto Church of Christ. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Glen was born August 22, 1932 to Jack and Ava Hamby-Walton in San Augustine, Texas. Glen graduated from San Augustine High School in 1950 and Abilene Christian College in 1954. In July 1954, fresh out of college, his first full time preaching job was for the Church of Christ in Newton, Texas. His first time in the pulpit, he noticed a young girl in the audience and he thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. This young girls mother invited him to their house to feed him because she thought he looked “pitiful”. Marilyn baked him homemade chocolate chip cookies and put them in a coffee can for him to take home. He would come back for more chocolate chip cookies and they soon started dating and fell in love. They married on September 15, 1955. They have been married for 67 years
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ava Walton; a sister, Sarah Francis Walton; brother, Leon Walton; brother, Bobby Jack Walton; and brother, Keith Walton.
Glen is survived by his wife, Marilyn Fowler Walton; son, Joel Walton and wife Stefanie of White Deer, Texas; daughter, Jana Hollingsworth and husband Chad of Amarillo, Texas; son, Jeff Walton of Dallas, Texas; a sister, Judy Stanaland, of Nacogdoches, TX; and five grandchildren, Kalee Madrid and husband Joel of Sanger, Texas, Lacey Cearley and husband Nick of Canyon, Texas, Ava Walton of Palmer, Texas, Wylie Glen Walton of Palmar, Texas, and Amador Arranaga of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had six great-grandchildren, Adyson Cearley, Hudson Cearley, Aiden Madrid, Cooper Madrid, Milo Madrid, and Brooks Madrid. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Glen served several Churches of Christ in his career as a minister including the Church of Christ in Vidor, Texas, Church of Christ in Bay City, Texas, San Jacinto Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas, North Amarillo Church of Christ, Western Avenue Church of Christ in Liberal, Kansas, Mary Ellen at Harvester Church of Christ in Pampa, Texas, back to North Amarillo Church of Christ, Bell Avenue Church of Christ in Amarillo, and full circle to San Jacinto Church of Christ.
Glen served in many areas outside of his church work including camp director of Black Mesa Bible Camp in Boise City, Oklahoma starting in 1967 until 1989. He was known as the man with the whistle. He said that his whistle was a real symbol of authority and without it he would be nothing. He served on the Board of Directors for High Plains Children’s Home. He served with the Downtown Amarillo Lions Club where he worked the McGruff “Take a Bite out of Crime” campaign. He visited all the elementary schools in Amarillo with his McGruff puppet. He taught the New Life Behavior course at the prisons in Amarillo, Tulia and Pampa. Glen became a father figure to many of the inmates and continued relationships with them once they were released from prison. He helped to organize a Sunday afternoon mentor program for the inmates that attended his classes. His family often joked about “dad and his homies” and “dads in prison again”. Glen taught a biblical studies class at Palo Duro High School for 2 years.
God blessed Glen Walton with a gentle and kind spirit. People would say that just his presence and the sound of his voice brought them great comfort. Probably the most important part of his career was being a solace in a storm. He could sit down and have a sincere conversation with anyone from any walk of life and make them feel important and valued. He could sit and joke with a hardened criminal as well as someone with a doctorate degree.
Being the child of a preacher, especially like Glen Walton, could be difficult at times. We had to share him at times when we did not want to. Holidays and vacations were interrupted because he made himself available to anyone. We came to accept that was just what God called him to be. We take from him an example of truly being available for people and caring for the hurting. He taught us to accept people where they are. We will forever be honored and proud to be the children of Glen Walton.
Please use this link to view the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kT-O8HSjs
Brother & Sister Walton have been the ideal examples of what it means to be a Christian. The impact of his influence teaching NewLife Behavior courses in prisons touched untold thousands of families and lives. His meekness and kindness convinced many that Jesus is real because He was seen in Glen. May God bless Marilyn and the family.
Prayers of comfort for Glenn’s family. Mr Watson did my fathers service many years ago. He was a very sweet soul. The world could use a few more like him.
Paul and I loved Glen. He was a great friend to both of us. Such a sweet Christian man. He will be remembered with kind and sweet thoughts.
i grew up with the Walton kids in Chireno and have many good memories with them. Glen was a good guy and friend and i will miss hearing his preaching, as i always enjoyed it when he came back to San Augustine.
Kenneth H. Garrett
(Chireno, Tx)
Glen was a truly honorable person and we were blessed to have been his neighbor for 7 years. I can still picture him walking with his stick, always stopping to say hi. The grandkids would always come home with a smile and a story to tell after visiting with Glen. He will be missed by many, but his love and kindness will continue on. Prayers to all his family. Kathy Forde, Justin and Erin Smith, Sydney and JJ
Glenn and Marilyn were at San Jacinto for some of my first memories. I watched him marry many young couples as I grew up there. When ever they would visit dad would return home with fond stories from Glenn’s ministries. He was a gentle spirit with a mighty message. He laid my dad (William “Harlie” Fewell to rest in 2007 and he laid my mom ( Fransis Lerline Fewell to rest in 2009. Most heart felt sympathy to Glenn’s family for your loss. He will be missed by many but never forgotten.
My deepest sympathies to your family. Glen’s teachings and example helped build the foundation of my faith. He lived what he taught. I have many fond memories of Glen—from camps to a mission trip, from my baptism to my wedding, from the mundane to the high points, and many points in between. A true shepherd, he was always an example of Christ. I’m thankful to have known him. Lifting prayers for his family and friends.
Glenn was there in our families needs and was a comfort to me when I retuned from Vietnam 🙏🙏
I was a little girl and I sat with grandmother every Sunday. I loved him so much. He brought me closer to God. Pastor Walton , God bless !
Condolences for the family. Glen is now in his forever home, his eternal home, with our Heavenly Father.
Glen held a special place in our hearts. He was such a kind and loving man. Keeping Marilyn and the family in our prayers.
I worked briefly with Glen at Black Mesa Bible Camp and will always appreciate his fun personality and his Bible knowledge. I can’t imagine how many souls have been added to the church due to his work through the years.
Glen was an exceptionally gentle man. He always had a kind word for everyone and encouraging moral qualities was a top priority in his teachings. Always loved and never forgotten.
Prayers for Marilyn and children – God bless you!
What a sweet and wholesome man , he was a great friend to my momma & daddy for many years . Preached every funeral for my family .
He will be missed . RIP Glen
Thank you for sharing Glen with our Mom and Dad, Joyce and H. D. Dyson. He was such a great friend and comforter to Dad in his last years, and he and Marilyn were both a blessing to Joyce at Brookdale where they all lived. Glen conducted H. D.’s funeral in such an uplifting way that all those attending wanted to book him for their own! What a great legacy of service to God and others. Thanks again for sharing Glen and Marilyn with our family, God Bless your family!
I felt the calmness and comfort of his presence when he did dads funeral. He just had this way of making you feel treasured. I’m sorry that he lived so far away. Heaven has gained a beautiful soul and we will miss him.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Such an honorable man. He will be missed. He and his family have a tremendous legacy.
He definitely had a kind, gentle spirit and a gift for making everyone feel special. Prayers of comfort for his family and those who loved him. He has touched many, many lives.
Glen and Marilyn have been such a blessing to Brookdale Senior Living. They were loved by all. My mother and I always looked forward to seeing them . He will be missed.
We will forever be grateful for Glen…he honored us by preaching funerals for our family and many friends; his visits to sick people and nursing homes; as you said, his kind, gentle Christ like ways; and, as a great proclaimer of God’s word! He’ll be missed!!!
So sorry to hear about Glen. He was a wonderful person with a great heart with the love of the Lord. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Glenn was an example to all. A true Christian man. He will be missed by all who new him. Thank you for sharing him all these years!
Glen Walton is my first preacher memory. preaching at the congregation I attended as a child. He preformed my wedding ceremony. I remember being worried he would be judgmental as i was marrying a non Christian (at the time). But he was only encouraging and said that was for God and us to work out. Which we did. My husband a firm believer and i have been married 48yrs. I’m so thankful for Glen’s sweet spirt that that so perfectly pointed the way to God. Take comfort Marlyn and family. He’s at peace, in his glory! Well done!
My heart is heavy for your loss, but rejoicing for Glen to meet his Lord face to face. He was a special man in the lives of so many, me included. May God comfort you all in the days to come. Glenna (Franks) Gunter
Prayers for family of Glenn he was very much loved by our family. Dorothy (Keesee) Taylor, Sue (Keesee) Cretsinger.
He was a kind and gentle soul who visited many sick people in the hospitals. He preached the funerals for both my parents and his calm demeanor transferred to all who were grieving. He will certainly be missed. Prayers for his family.
I feel blessed to have known Glen Walton. He was a great family friend and he was such a Godly man and so unselfish. I know he will be missed by his family. Praying for comfort for his family.