South County Profile: Don Walton

DON WALTON

Tracye Dethero, Contributing Writer

Don Walton of Happy Valley was born in Albany, Oregon. While in grade school he spent time playing steel guitar for country singers like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Senior, beginning when he was nine years old. Walton graduated from Eugene High School in 1956.

After graduation, Walton left for the United States Marine Corps and spent many years in Vietnam. He spent six years in the military. On his birthday, in 1963, his plane was shot down, and he was the only survivor. Walton spent seven days alone in occupied territory. On the seventh day, he heard an American Soldier's voice and was rescued. The only thing Walton had during that time, was his gun and three clips to go in it.

Upon returning, Walton attended the University of Oregon, earning his Associates in Arts degree in Accounting. After graduating from college, Walton opened up a fish market in Phoenix Oregon, called Sculpin Seafood. The fish market was open for approximately five years, before it was forced out of business by the larger fishing corporations in the area.

In 1984, Walton and his better half, Christa moved to Shasta County after spending time working out on their mining claim on the Trinity River. Walton began teaching scouts and students about survival and the Civil War, in which he had family that fought for the Confederates.

Walton has spent the past 15 to 16 years teaching students about the Civil War and holding a student day at re-enactments around the area, being able to help them better understand what the Civil War meant to our country. He also teaches students to be thankful for who they are and to be the best they can be. The one thing that he enjoys teaching the most, is that our young people should respect and honor the people around them so that we do not have another Civil War, also about their genealogy learning about family and wanting to belong. That we learn from the mistakes of our fore fathers.

As he asks his students on the "student day," of Civil War Re-enactment, "What have you learned from this experience?" His students answer with "We will get an education, and say thank you to our Veterans." which is exactly what our country fought for.

Walton's family fought in different branches of the 42nd infantry. 1,200 of his family members fought in the Civil War. This is what made Walton curious about his genealogy and the Civil War.

While Walton is participating in re-enactments, he portrays, "Pappy," of the 42nd Virginia Company K Franklin's Invincible.

Name: Don Walton.

Born where and when: Albany, Oregon 1939.

Occupation: Retired.

Marital Status: I've been together with my better half for 30 years.

Family: Six daughters, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Pets: A dog named Termite and three cats.

My worst job: I've never had a worst job.

My first job: Striping cows.

In my spare time I: Teach history in schools, colleges and participate in Civil War Re-enacting.

My favorite book: Strange and Blited, it is about what happened in Gettysburg after the Civil War.

My favorite movie: Gods and Generals or Glory.

My favorite recording artist: Hank Williams Senior. I played steel guitar for him at a young age.

My dream car: A 1957 Plymouth.

My friends like me because: I will stand up for what I believe in.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: A way to write down thoughts and feelings.

The one thing in life I've learned is: Life is empty with out being able to give to others.

The best advice my parents gave me: To care about others and never stop learning.

My most embarrassing moment was: Receiving honors for something I have done.

My most irrational act: Getting mad at my father and going on active duty in the Marines.

What I like best about the North State: The people.

My hero is: Eleanor Roosevelt. She stood up for what she believed in.

My pet peeve is: People who stand for nothing.

My fantasy is: to bring back honor and respect our youth.

If I could change one thing about myself I would have: Started teaching sooner.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More work and jobs for our young people.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Living every day to the fullest and being able to work with our youth.