LaFAYETTE — Alexander Gunn (Alex) Walton, 90, of LaFayette, Ala. was born November 24, 1927 and passed away Monday September 24, 2018 at the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City. He was the son of the late Leo Frank Walton, Sr. and Ida Gunn (Sing) Walton of LaFayette.

He was a graduate of LaFayette High School and a 1950 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in LaFayette. He enlisted and served in the Korean War for two years and was stationed in Germany. He achieved the OCC medal while in Germany and received the Korean War Ambassador medal. On a weekend leave on March 23, 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Simpson. She was the love of his life.

Alex was the proud owner of Alex Farm Service Center in LaFayette. He worked with Auburn University and helped develop Whopper Grower Fish pond fertilizer. Later in life he opened a saw mill. Alex was also known as Daddy, Pappa, and Mr. Alex. His personality was larger than life, and he never met a stranger. He would give anyone the shirt off his back. He dearly loved his family, friends and fishing.

Alex leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Ann Simpson Walton; he is also survived by his four children, Alexander Gunn Walton, Jr. (Terrie), Clay Simpson Walton (Lisa), Rebecca Walton McPherson (Chuck) and Debbie Howdyshell Moore (Jon); 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, niece  Susan Walton Wilson (Clay) and nephew Peter Frank Walton (Cherry). The family would like to express gratitude to the special people who cared for him: Arlinda Young, Kayla Dawson, Angela McKnight, Krista Lashley and Southern Care Hospice.

A memorial service will be held Friday September 28, 2018 at 11 a.m. CDT at First United Methodist Church in LaFayette.  Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Bill Nichols State Veterans Home 1784 Elkahatchee Road Alexander City, Alabama 35010 attention Brenda Dabbs or First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 380 LaFayette, Alabama 36862.

On line condolences may be sent to jeffjonesfuneralhome.com. Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette, is handling the arrangements.