John Emmett Walton, age 79 of Elkton passed away at 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, June 06, 2023, at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville of natural causes.
John was born December 6, 1943, in Clarksville, the son of the late Emmett Beall and Dorothy Hite Walton of Allensville. He was a member of the Lord’s church and worshiped at the Bethany Church of Christ in Olmstead.
John wore many “career hats” over his lifetime. After graduating from Guthrie High School in 1961, he went on to receive his B.S. Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1965 and a Master’s Degree from Murray State University in 1968. From 1965 to 1967 he worked for Pulaski County Board of Education as Director of Speech and Pathology Program; 1968-1974 the University of Arkansas Medical Center as Coordinator of Speech and Hearing Division of Pediatrics and Assistant Professor at the U of A Medical Center’s School of Allied Health. In June 1974 he moved his family to Todd County, back home for John. He served as Executive Director of Harriett Cohn Mental Health Center in Clarksville until 1981. Between 1981-1989 he combined farming and working as a substitute teacher in special education as a speech and hearing therapist with the Todd County Board of Education. Also, between 1986-2002, he was an adjunct professor teaching psychology and education at Hopkinsville Community College.
In 1998 he was elected Mayor of Elkton and served from 1999-2006. Upon retirement, he continued to work for progress in his community by serving as Director of Marketing with the Logan-Todd Regional Water Commission and President of the Todd County Industrial Foundation. His accomplishments were many in every area that he chose to concentrate his efforts whether it was teaching or trying to improve the lives of his fellow Todd Countians.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Diana McCullough Walton, whom he met at David Lipscomb University, and married on December 26, 1964; a brother Frank H. Walton, Sr and his wife Sandra of Allensville; a sister Winn Dean Walton of Nashville, one son, John McCullough Walton and his wife Dawn of Allensville, two grandchildren, Haven Walton of Allensville, and Isaac Dean Walton of Allensville. He was preceded in death by his son, Dean Ware Walton in 1988.
Visitation with the Walton family will be on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Latham Funeral Home in Elkton. The funeral service is scheduled to be conducted on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Latham Funeral Home in Elkton, for a celebration of his life. Mr. Harris Dockins officiating. Interment will follow at the Belmont Cemetery in Allensville, where it all started.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Potter Children’s Home, 2350 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101, or Bethany Church of Christ, Lads to Leaders Program, 2446 Ferguson Road, Olmstead, KY 42265.
