Jesse D. Walton Jr.

Jesse D (JD) Walton, Jr was born in Asheville, NC on July 23, 1925. He passed away peacefully, with family gathered around his bed, on February 11, 2011. When J.D. was a few years old, the family moved to Atlanta, GA. He always considered Atlanta home. He grew up on Noble Drive near the Emory area. He joined Druid Hills Baptist Church at the age of 10 and was baptized by Louie D. Newton. J.D. attended Boys High school, and after graduating he enlisted in the Navy, where he served his country during World War II, as a radio operator. After the war he attended Georgia Tech and graduated 1950 in Ceramic Engineering. He met his wife, Jane Webb, at Lake Rabun in the summer of 1946 and was married on June 11, 1948. After graduating from Georgia Tech, J.D. took a position with Ferro Corporation in Cleveland, OH, for two years before moving back to Atlanta in 1952, where he began his 33 year career with Georgia Tech in the research division, in the fields of high temperature materials and solar energy, before retiring in 1985. He received many awards and recognitions in the field of ceramic engineering and solar energy. His work at Georgia Tech afforded him opportunities to travel to Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Through his travels, he developed many lasting friendships with colleagues, and also with their families. He opened his house many times to colleagues and families, when they came to Atlanta. He loved to travel and took opportunities to take his family on many of his trips, including six months in Rome, Italy; a one month trip to Europe with the entire family in 2000, and an adventure to the American Southwest in 2003. He also developed many friendships with contacts through the churches that he and Jane attended. He was chairman of deacons at Druid Hills Baptist Church, and when they joined Wieuca Road Baptist Church in the mid-1990's, he and Jane worked in many ministries; they always enjoyed spending time with all church members. Recently, they joined First Baptist Church of Decatur. J.D. enjoyed teaching Sunday School at all three churches, and was even teaching the Bible this past Sunday. He had a deeply, experienced spiritual journey that supported not only him but those lives he touched. J.D. is survived by his beloved wife, Jane, his four children, Rick, Peggy, Jay (Jesse, III), and Bruce, their spouses, his sister, Eleanor W. Pixley, nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Georgia Tech Foundation or Hemophilia of Georgia, or charity of your choice. There will be a visitation Monday, February 14, 2011 6-8 PM at Spring Hill. Services will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Eleven O'clock AM at Spring Hill with burial to follow in Arlington Memorial Park.