Leon Walton

May 4, 1918 - October 6, 2007

HALTOM CITY -- Leon G. Walton passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at a local health center. FMemorial service: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst. The Rev. Todd Renner will officiate. Memorials: may be made to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. Leon was longtime member of Boulevard Christian Church and then Riverside Christian Church. He was a lifelong resident of Fort Worth. Leon was a member of Riverside-Haltom City Masonic Lodge and Moslah Shrine Temple, Colonial Country Club, Diamond Oaks Country Club and enjoyed golf at both country clubs. Leon proudly served his country as a United States Marine during World War II in the South Pacific. He was a custom builder, but his real passion was his custom Christmas trees. He was the first in the United States to "flock" a Christmas tree. He was known for his ability to customize a Christmas tree - tall and narrow or short and fat, trees for bank lobbies, museums, church sanctuaries and homes, perfected and delivered ready to decorate. He worked from daylight to midnight for two months, put away all the gear and waited for next Christmas. Leon was awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund Award, through his and others' efforts to rescue the crew from an exploding offshore oil rig. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary L. Walton. Survivors: Daughter, Elaine Lofland and husband, Gerald; grandsons, Kyle Lofland and wife, Kim, Chris Lofland; granddaughter-in-law, Shelley Lofland; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Bobby Gene Walton.