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Walton, Perry
Perry Walton, 69, of Marion, died at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, surrounded by family, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Midwest Prayer Center, County Home Road, Marion, with interment to follow. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and after noon Wednesday at the church.
Survivors include his wife, Jan; children, Randy Walton of Marion and Gina (Shawn) Holman of La Porte City; mother, Hazel Walton of Cresco; brothers, Tim (Glenna) Walton of Cresco and Les (Cindy) Walton of Perry; sister, Carol (Bill) Whiting of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, an infant son, and his father- and mother-in-law.
Perry was born Feb. 14, 1943, in Charles City, to Perry and Hazel Walton. Perry graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco, the Police Academy, and attended Mount Mercy College. He was a police officer for the Oelwein and Cedar Rapids police departments as a patrolman, undercover officer, and spent over 15 years as a police helicopter pilot.
After more than 20 years of service, Perry retired to devote his energy to his aviation business, P & N Flight Charter. Starting at McBride Airport with one airplane he met and fell in love with his student, Jan, who he later married in 1985. Their flight school moved to the Marion Airport and branched out to the Platteville Airport. After purchasing the Marion Airport, they developed it from a 2800-foot grass strip runway with only open T-hangars to the current 3800-foot asphalt runway and multiple enclosed hangars. The Marion Airport became the only full service, privately owned, public use airport with asphalt runways in Iowa.
Perry was a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor for helicopter and airplane single and multi engine land with instrument privileges; FAA examiner and light sport mechanic with over 60,000 flight hours.
He was a member of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa State Police Protective associations, EAA and AOPA. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife.
As one of Iowa's aviation icons, he will be deeply missed.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Ghosh and staff, the staff at Hospice of Mercy and all his friends for their help and support.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Published Oct. 1, 2012 in The Gazette
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