Margaret Mead, a noted anthropologist of the 20th Century, penned these words that describe John Emmett Walton’s belief in what can be accomplished so powerfully. Mead authored, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Though Mead is remembered for this quote, the words portray the philosophy that resonated so strongly with John Walton, the son of the late Emmett and Dorothy Hite Walton and the beloved husband of Diana McCullough Walton.
Having only known Mr. John since 2017, Mrs. Tiffany Groves, Todd County Chamber of Commerce Director and president of the Green River Academy Preservation Society, summed up Mr. John’s impact so well stating, “John was a generous mentor to many, a cherished friend to countless, and a stalwart champion for the betterment of Todd County. His tireless dedication to his community should serve as an inspiration and example to us all.”
In a prepared video for Mr. John’s funeral on Saturday, Governor Andy Beshear stated, “Today we honor the life of a strong, kind, and dedicated Kentuckian. Throughout his career, John led efforts to build a better Kentucky for his neighbors and Todd County. He did this with pride, celebrating what makes Todd County and all of Kentucky so special.” Commenting he had never followed a governor before, Mr. Harris Dockins, preacher at Bethany Church of Christ, also pointed out in his remarks that he really did not know anyone who impacted the lives of so many people as Mr. John, emphasizing many characteristics attributed to him – his encouraging nature, his empathy for others, his caring for his family and community, his involvement in so many activities with a group mentality while still caring about the individual, and his love of the next generation, adding Mr. John was a firm supporter of the “Lads to Leaders Program” common in so many congregations.
Those who know more about Mr. John will also share he has been an advocate for Todd County in so many roles including years of service and leadership with the Todd County Industrial Foundation, South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD), and the Logan-Todd Regional Water Commission. Both a Murray State and UK graduate with a background in speech, hearing, and education, Mr. John was also a founding father of the Green River Academy Preservation Society dating from 2009, and he just recently stepped down from that board to allow another generation of Todd Countians to move forward with the restoration effort.
Travel back in time to the last century, and many who attended Hopkinsville Community College will recall Mr. John taught evening psychology and education classes for HCC for 16 years, his classes becoming student favorites. Describing Mr. John as kind, thoughtful, and possessing a sense of humor, Mrs. Wilda Harrison, a student in his classes during the 1990s who worked at Western State Hospital at the time, messaged, “His class was always very interesting, and I learned many things that helped me in my job.”
Explaining Mr. John’s loss is a “personal loss for him and a devastating loss for our community,” Mike McGhee, well-known local engineer, shared, “He was a unique public servant in that he sought neither wealth nor recognition for his contributions. In fact, I’ve seen him work hard to assure that people received the glory who had considerably less to do with some project or achievement than he did.” He also explained Mr. John’s tactics for reaching out to a group or agency to secure funding for a project were unique. “When he reached out, he didn’t start with the head of the organization. Instead, he wanted to meet the receptionist, the assistants, and the person who emptied the wastebaskets.”
Mike also shared, “By the time he worked his way up to the executive, he had good friends all through the organization who would do anything to help him.” Mike continued, “John also understood something all of our grandmothers knew – Food makes friends. I don’t know how many hundreds of pounds of barbecue we hauled to Frankfort over the years, but I have a pretty good idea of how many millions of dollars our region received because of those trips.” He added the last barbecue run was a few weeks ago with some of the barbecue left at Governor Beshear’s mansion, quite a feat for a “local advocate” from Todd County.
Traveling back into the previous century once more, Elktonians will contribute Mr. John served as mayor of Elkton from 1999 to 2006, losing an earlier election to the late Bryan Blount when Mr. Blount’s and Mr. John’s names were placed in a drawing with Mr. Blount becoming the winner. Explaining Mr. John substituted for her in the 1980s at Clifty, Mrs. Jo Ann Holder, former mayor of Trenton, commented, “John was the first person outside of Trenton to call and congratulate me on my election for mayor in 2010. He also welcomed me as a member of the Todd County Industrial Foundation.” She also shared, “For eight years, I witnessed his dedication to Todd County through several boards we were on.
He loved traveling to Frankfort, Louisville, and other places where he advocated for a community he loved so dearly.” Also sharing everyone who knew Mr. John knew Todd County’s betterment was paramount in his thoughts and efforts, she summed up the impact he had on those around him – “His connections in the political world were many, and those many were his friends.”
Ms. Betty Brown, wife of the late Dr. George Brown, added, “John Emmett was one of Dr. Brown’s favorite people, and he has done more for this county than many people realize.”
Commenting Mr. John was always kind to him, Jeff Francies, the son of the late Carl Francies, shared on Facebook, “After his son Dean’s tragic death, he had every reason not to assist with the baseball organization at the new county park; instead of quitting, however, he did even more to make that vision possible.” Describing him as a “force of nature” other counties did not have and a mentor for many politicians, Mrs. Martha Jane King, Field Representative for Governor Andy Beshear, shared, “John was truly a southern gentleman; I was never around him that he didn’t walk me to my car, made sure I had it started, and waved me goodbye.”
She also stated no was not a part of his vocabulary, adding again he took any task provided and gave his heart to its successful completion. Ms. Evelyn Boone, former mayor of Elkton, contributed the first time she met Mr. John was in the 1835 Courthouse; he immediately said, “Hello, Sunshine” to her, and that cheerful sobriquet immediately became attached to Ms. Evelyn.
Scott Marshall, a retired EMT and former mayor of Guthrie who has known Mr. John for 40 years, shared he had recently inquired from Mr. John how much funding/grant dollars had been brought back to Todd County the last 30 years, and Mr. John replied, “At least $50 million.” Scott elaborated, “That was before he helped secure $30 million from Governor Beshear for the new natural gas pipeline into the county.”
He also chronicled several more projects with Mr. John’s “indelible touch” added to them – the Historic Courthouse Welcome Center; Streetscapes in Elkton, Guthrie and Trenton; the Green River Academy Preservation Society; the Guthrie Transportation Museum; the TCCHS Career Path Institute; wastewater and water systems’ improvements; and Novelis, the company that has or soon will invest nearly $650 million in two plants in the Guthrie area. Adding he joked with Mr. John he could now “call Heaven and not pay roaming charges,” Scott also clarified Mr. John was instrumental in the effort to have an AT&T cell tower in Guthrie, a key component for recruitment of industry into our communities.
Sue Rose, a long-time friend of the Walton family, explained Mr. John cared deeply for people, adding, “Hundreds of people in Todd and surrounding counties received gifts of barbecue or more during times of illness or death of loved ones just because he cared.” She also shared, “When he saw a need, he didn’t hesitate to assist. Many have jobs in our county because he saw their potential and made recommendations for employment.” Laura Brock, Elkton City-Clerk, reminisced when Mr. John was mayor, he asked the city employees one year if they would be willing to sponsor a pizza party with Christmas gifts for the children at Potter Children’s Home in Bowling Green in lieu of presents and a meal for themselves.
When the employees all concurred, that pizza party took place, providing merriment and gifts for the children living at the home. One other comment of Ms. Sue’s speaks volumes, “His Christian values were the guiding force in his personal and professional life. Even at his death he is assisting those in need with his instructions to his family to have donations given to the Potter Children’s Home.”
Scott Marshall’s youngest son, Cpl. Austin Marshall of the USMC, texted with his father, “I know it’s always hard losing a friend, but I am not sad he has passed. I am, however, glad such a man has lived.” Innumerable words could be listed to describe Mr. John, but humble would be one word repeated quite often. Anyone who saw Mr. John on the street would probably smile and note his attire typically included a blue shirt, khaki pants, or denims, trademarks revealing both his love of the University of Kentucky and the “bluegrass” state as well. The Green River Academy’s post on Facebook following his death said it well – “Not many people come along in a lifetime that have a major impact on the lives of so many, but John certainly helped in the cause to make Todd County shine brighter and to achieve more progress than had been realized in nearly half a century.”
Laura Brock, who is another founding member of the GRA and worked with Mr. John when he was mayor, added on the day of his death, “Everywhere I looked today it reminded me of John. That’s because almost everything we see in Elkton, John had a hand in.” Stressing he also taught her how to be a doer and not worry about recognition, she noted he had told her every three months for the last three years the Courthouse’s windows needed painting.” In recent weeks that project is being accomplished. She also summarized his impact so eloquently when she penned, “He was always there – for all of us. This one is gonna hurt for a while.”
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
June 10, 2023
