John Joseph Walton

John Joseph Walton John Joseph Walton, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away March 25, 2016, Good Friday, in Gulfport, Miss. John was born on February 29, 1944, in Dublin, Ireland, to John and Eileen Walton, both deceased, of Dublin. He was preceded in death by two brothers Thomas Anthony Walton and Kevin Patrick Walton. John attended Synge Street Christian Brothers School in Dublin, Mungret College in Limerick, and graduated from St. Patrick College, Thurles, Co. Tipperary earning a M.Div. degree. John proudly served in the United States Army Reserve as a Chaplin for 11 years with the rank of Major. He came to the U.S. at the age of 25 serving the Diocese of Mobile, Ala., for more than 14 years. John and his wife, Mary Kate Putnam Walton, relocated from Florida to Gulfport after Hurricane Katrina to be near family. John dedicated his career to health care ministries with roles in Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of Florida, in the Home Health and Hospice arena in Broward County Florida and as Administrator of Epworth Retirement Village, in Miami Lakes Florida. He served as Marketing Director for Stone County Hospital, Wiggins MS, before retirement. John has been a faithful volunteer at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Biloxi MS as lector and cantor where his Irish brogue was a staple at Saturday evening masses. John was a lover of all things Irish, particularly Irish music, travel and spending time with his family. John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mary Kate Putnam Walton; daughter April Ann Voris and son-in-law Alex Voris of Atlanta; son, H. F. Mathis IV of Orlando; two grandchildren Ava and Aiden Voris of Atlanta; brother in law, James Putnam, Jr. of Gulfport; sister-in-law, Judy Terranova , and her husband Barry of Fairhope, AL; sister in law Margie Jepson of Jackson MS and a host of nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 2:00pm at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Biloxi. Friends may visit one hour before the Mass. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com