WALTON, Richard C. 1937-2001
WALTON, MCGANN, BUSCH, TRACY, KLABZUBA, NEBENDAHL, WILLIE
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/6/2011 at 04:18:37
BELLE PLAINE Ret. it. Col. Richard C . Walton, 64, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Belle Plaine, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, in the Christopher House in Austin, Texas, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Graveside services, with military honors: 1 p.m. Monday, Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with the Honor Guard from Offutt Air Force Base officiating. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife, Yolande McGann Walton of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Margaret Walton and husband Tom Busch of Marion, Iowa, and Lori Walton and husband Mike Tracy of Seattle, Wash.; a son, Scott Walton and wife Teresa of Anamosa; a brother, Donald Walton and wife Ruth of Belle Plaine; and grandsons, Andrew and Matthew Walton of Anamosa.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Walton Sr.; his mother, Helen Walton Klabzuba; two brothers, Raymond Walton and George Walton Jr.; and two sisters, Mary Ann Walton Nebendahl and Betty Jean Walton Willie.
Richard was born June 3, 1937, on a tenant farm just west of Elberon in Tama County, Iowa. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School and the University of Nebraska with a Master of Science in geography. He served in the United States Air Force from January 1961 to October 1982. He worked at flying aircraft for 10 years and then progressed into air operations management, command and control, intelligence, mapping and program management at the Department of Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center. He served in the Strategic Air Command and the Vietnam War, where he flew 189 combat missions.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and many other awards and decorations.
He served at various Air Force bases in the Strategic Air Command including the Headquarters at, Offutt AFB, Neb., and South East Asia Air Force Operating locations. After his Air Force retirement in 1982, he relocated in Austin, Texas, and founded a successful map publishing company. This company was purchased by the Rand McNally Map Co., where he accepted the position of a regional manager.
Richard was very proud of and will always love his wonderful children and grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Austin, 2820 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Austin, TX 78702.
[Cedar Rapids Gazette, Thursday, November 29, 2001]
Benton Obituaries maintained by John Shuck.
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