Obituary for Lt. Col. Robert G. Walton 1931-2023
Robert G. Walton passed away on September 12, 2023. He was the son of Robert Henry and Katheryn Micheli Walton. he is survived by his children: Anne Walton of Ogallala, NE, John Walton of Taos, NM, Matthew Walton and wife, Patricia, of Las Cruces, NM, Robert and wife Kim, of Weatherford, TX, and Warren Walton and wife, Karen, of Raton, NM. He is survived by his siblings: Madelyn Novick of Albuquerque, NM, Jack and Pat Walton of Trinidad, Co, Bonnie and George Yaksich, Raton, NM, mike and Karen Walton, Raton, NM, and Robert Walton of Modesto, CA. he is survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren who will dearly miss him.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Walton, his parents, Robert and Katheryn Walton, son Robbie Walton, sister Wanda Kamm, and brother Gary Walton. Robert was born in Trinidad, Co. on July 19, 1931. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to their homestead in Sugarite Canyon. He attended school in Raton, graduating in 1950; This is where he met his wife of 69 years, Shirley Knox. Shirley was a refined young woman who had traveled abroad but Robert caught her eye and they were married while attending college at NMSU.
Robert joined the Air Force having a very successful career culminating with his attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. Some of his overseas assignments included deployment to Iran where he worked with the Shaw of Iran to set up an air force academy, and deployment to Judorn Air Force base (Thailand) during the Vietnam War where he served as base operations officer. While in Judorn, he was assigned the task of setting up and coordinating the exchanges of American Prisoners of War. After being offered an assignment at the Pentagon, Robert thought it better to retire and bring his family back home to Raton.
Upon returning to Raton, he was hired by the Raton Public Schools as an attendance Officer, where he worked until becoming the Director of the Raton Chamber of Commerce. He thoroughly enjoyed this position as he found it his mission to celebrate his hometown. While in this position, Robert organized a cultural fair to celebrate the many diverse cultures of our area. The fair went over so well that after 3 years it had grown into a massive gathering, covered by local and state news agencies.
Robert also was employed by ARF for several years as head of the Human Resource Department where he was able to put his experience as a personnel officer to work. Robert finally landed the job he had always dreamed of managing the Haas Cattle Ranch, a 64,000-acre ranch, in Aguilar, Colorado. Robert and Shirley seemed to blossom while living the ranching life. His cattle always brought the highest bids at sale. Robert and Shirley retired after 8 wonderful years of ranching and moved back to Raton, where they lived out their final years at the base of Barlett Mesa.
Services for Robert Walton will be at St. Josephs/St. Patrick’s church in Raton, NM on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, @ 10 a.m. with father Rob Yaksich officiating. Interment to follow at the Walton ranch. There will be a celebration of life for Robert Walton at K-Bobs that evening at 5:30 p.m. Funeral arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, Las Cruces, NM.
Robert and Shirley Walton were two of the finest and best people that I ever knew. I went to high school and college with them and visited with them when I was in Raton. I will miss them very much. Their many offspring are credits to their character. The city of Raton, the state of New Mexico and all of the United States are a better places thanks to them.