Dan Edward Walton of Palm Beach died Friday, June 13, 2008, at his home. He was 89.
Mr. Walton was born Jan. 24, 1919, in Jackson, Tenn. He attended Phillips High School in Birmingham, Ala., where he starred in football and track. He established an Alabama high school record in the shotput and was named to the Alabama All-State Football Team.
He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville on a football scholarship. In his senior year of 1941-42, he was named an All-American at tackle; his line coach was Bear Bryant. Mr. Walton was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa for his leadership and academic achievement.
Following graduation with a bachelor's degree, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He fought in World War II with the 15th Air Force in Italy and was discharged as a major in 1946. Returning from the war, he married Lucy Frances Gibson of Johnson City, Tenn., who died in 1998.
Mr. Walton attended Duke University Law School and received his law degree in 1948. He began his legal career in Houston as an associate with Butler, Binion, Rice & Cook. He joined the Harris County district attorney's office in 1953, where he served as a felony prosecutor. He was elected Harris County district attorney in 1954. In the late 1950s, he received the Outstanding Texas Prosecutor Award from the Texas Law Enforcement Foundation.
He re-entered private practice in 1960. In 1962 he served as John Connally's Harris County campaign manager in Connally's race for governor.
In 1966, Mr. Walton was appointed judge of the 178th District Court. He continued to serve the public on the bench over the next three decades. He was re-elected five times without opposition.
Mr. Walton served as president of the Houston Junior Bar Association; member of the board of directors at St. Luke's Hospital; commander of American Legion Post 627; president of Texas District & County Attorneys Association; and state director of the National Association of District and County Attorneys.
He was a member of the Masons, Holland Lodge No. 1; the Shriners; and Fraternal Order of the Eagles. He was given the Life Time Member Award by the Houston Chamber of Commerce and earned the Outstanding Vanderbilt Alumni Award. He was named to the Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary All-American Team.
Mr. Walton is survived by a daughter, Gigi Tylander of Palm Beach; two sons, Gib Walton of Houston and Dan T. Walton of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; and six grandchildren, William and Elizabeth Tylander, Cole and Emily Walton, and Rachel and Andrew Walton.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston.
Contributions in Mr. Walton's memory may be made to: The Lord of the Streets Episcopal Mission, 3401 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77004; or to Trinity Church, 1015 Holman St., Houston, TX, 77004.
