Thomas M. Walton

Thomas M. Walton

1936-2024

Thomas M. Walton, of Rio Communities, passed away Oct. 2, in Edgewood, N.M.

Tom was born, four score and eight years ago to John and Mary Walton in West Lafayette, Ind. The family moved to Winslow, Ariz., in 1943. Following graduation from Winslow High School, Tom worked at Haystack, a mine near Pruitt, N.M., before hiring out with the engineering department of the Santa Fe Railroad in September 1955. Tom worked his way up from rodman to supervisor of structures, maintaining track and bridges for the Albuquerque and Los Angles divisions across Arizona, California and New Mexico. He retired in Belen after 40 years with the Santa Fe Railroad and four months with the BNSF.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and loving wife of 62 years, Annie Bealer Walton.

He is survived by his children, Robert, Susie, Barbara Boyer (Chris), Jane Thomas and Mike (Erin); grandchildren, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Sarah Boyer, John (Ashlynne) and Daniel Walton, and Noah and Luke Thomas; and many loving nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

Tom will be deeply missed by family and friends. He was a lifetime member of the Elks, dedicated community volunteer and charter member of the Santa Fe Railroad Albuquerque division Retired Supervisors Breakfast Club.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, at Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., Belen. A visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will take place at La Dos Gringas from 12-2:30 p.m.

Graveside service and burial will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday Nov. 9, at Desert View Cemetery, W. Fleming St., Winslow, Ariz., followed by a reception and visitation with family at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 600 W. Henderson St., Winslow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Tom can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or St Jude’s Hospital for Children.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.