FRANK WALTER WALTON

On June 24, 1944, Frank and Johnsie Walton's prayers were finally answered. They had been looking forward to becoming parents together for years. God blessed them with a baby boy, Frank Walter Walton. The first of their five children was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

Frank accepted Christ at the Payne Chapel AME Church under the leadership of Reverend W. P. Foley. He, along with his brother and three sisters, was baptized at Payne Chapel.

Frank completed his elementary and secondary education in the segregated Birmingham Public School System. He began studying the trumpet at age eleven at Lincoln Elementary School. Frank Adams was his band teacher.       In High School, Frank became a member of the renowned A H Parker High School Marching Band.

Frank broadened his educational pursuits at Tennessee State University by becoming a member of the "Aristocrat of Bands." Frank also studied with the legendary Trumpeter and instructor Louis Smith.

He married Levaughn Craig on January 1, 1966. They went on to share 54 years of married life – "together as one." They were blessed with two sons.

Frank received his Bachelors of Science degree in Music Education at Tennessee State University. After graduation, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois. He then joined the Chicago Public School System as a music teacher. In addition to Frank's teaching school in Chicago for thirty-four years, he continued to pursue his education. He now holds a Master of Music degree in Trumpet and Theory from the American Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music Education and Trumpet from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

Frank became a fixture on Chicago's rich, classical, jazz and pop scenes. He performed with the John Stubbefield Quartet, the Sonny Turner/Johnny Board Orchestra, the Trio "Air" Henry Thredgrill, Steve McCall, and Fred

Hopkins. He also performed with the Morris Ellis Orchestra for many years in Chicago. He sat in with Booker Ervin, Lenny White, Stanley Clarke, Elvin Jones, Max Roach and Gary Bartz in New York. On September 5, 1982, Frank opened for Miles Davis at the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Frank's recordings include: The Frank Walton/Yoron Israel Sextet "Live in Chicago," The Frank Walton Sextet and "The Back Stop," and Frank Walton "Reality."

Frank committed himself to God's care, secure in His love for him and trusting in the salvation that was purchased for him by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He left, to those who survived him, the comfort of knowing that he died in faith and that he has now joined his Lord and Savior Christ in eternal glory.

Frank pulled off mortality and put on immortality, and made his transition to his heavenly home on May 18, 2024. With cherished memories and continuing his legacy, he is survived by two sons: Donald F Walton, Nashville, Tennessee; Frank Walton, III and his wife Cassandra, Chicago, Illinois. Five sisters: Annie Marie Lee, Birmingham, Alabama; Carolyn Elaine Walton, Benton Harbor, Michigan; Irene and her husband Earnest Stokes, Birmingham, Alabama; Anita Walton, Birmingham, Alabama; and Catherine Womack, Birmingham, Alabama. A host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and his parents preceding him in death, he was preceded by his brothers: Anthony Ray Walton, Aaron Randolph and John Randolph.