M. DOUGLAS WALTON
June 23, 1942 – April 5, 2024
A tribute to a life lived to the fullest will be held in memory of M Douglas Walton, 81, of Ruston, LA on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2:00pm in the Davison Athletics Complex (DAC) located at the south end of the Louisiana Tech University football stadium. M Douglas Walton was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Leota Walton.
As a young child Douglas lived in his own little world because of a speech impediment no one could solve. When he was 16 his parents sold their family restaurant in Carmen, OK and moved to Wichita, KS so he could attend the Institute of Logopedics, now known as Heartspring. There he received the help he needed that enabled him to communicate so beautifully later in life. He learned to accept those early solitary years as a blessing and as a gateway to his spiritual life.
Douglas graduated from Oklahoma State University earning the prestigious Silver Medal of Excellence in Architecture. After graduation he worked for Hass and Massey Architects in Shreveport, LA and later accepted a position teaching Architectural Design and Watercolor courses at Louisiana Tech University. He began his art career as a student of Edgar Whitney who is known as The Father of American Watercolor. Whitney recognized Doug’s potential as a teacher and through his encouragement inspired Douglas to enrich the lives of countless other aspiring artists and teachers, giving them the knowledge, encouragement, and desire to reach future generations. Douglas taught over 500 workshops in 25 states and combined his love of travel and teaching all over the world including Europe, Morocco, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Cambodia, Guatemala, South Africa, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, China, and Canada. For 30 years he led students on immersive two-week encounters in Bali, Indonesia. In April of 2015 he was stranded in the 7.8 Nepal Earthquake with 15 students, an experience that changed and enriched his life.
In 1997 Mr. Walton was presented the prestigious award for overcoming a speech impediment by the National Council of Communicative Disorders in Washington, DC. In 1999 he delivered the keynote speech for the Alabama Art Education State Convention. He has been featured in many magazine and newspaper articles and his artwork is cherished all over the world.
Doug will always be remembered for his amazing ability to critique art, to encourage students, and to tell fascinating stories. He was an entertaining, caring, exceptional teacher who helped his students grow to their maximum potential in art and in life. Teaching became his vehicle to enable students to see what they could become and to know their artistic voice. His loving art community is both his legacy and his family.
Online condolences and memories may be sent to www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes. com.
