A Service of Memory Celebrating the Life of Mark Van Lyndon Walton December 28, 1960 - January 7, 2019

One of five boys born to parents Connie Fitzgerald Walton and James Walton, Mark Van Lyndon Walton made his debut into this world on December 28, 1960 in Cincinnati Ohio.  He died suddenly and unexpectedly in the early morning hours of January 7, 2019 in Hampton,  Virginia at the age of 58.

Growing up in Silverton, Ohio, he was the middle child of the group - his brothers being Greg, Randall, Jeff and Kevin.  He was an "Irish Twin" to one of his slightly older brothers, Randall - as both were born in the same year.  In a show of young brotherly competitiveness, when Mark was a little boy, he always thought he had "caught up" to Randy in age - because for one full week of each year, Mark and Randall were the same exact age.  The unique bond between Mark and Randall continued to be strong throughout the 58 years they shared together.

Mark was an achiever; a dreamer; a goal setter and a visionary. He had big plans for life and for his future. He had the admirable trait of living life on his terms: carefree and knowing that whatever life threw his way, he would figure it out.  To Mark, life was an adventure.  After graduating from the Xavier University in 1984 with a BA in Business Administration, Mark then obtained his Master's Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati, graduating with honors 1986.  His published Master's dissertation resulted in the rezoning of a local hospital and prompted the City of Cincinnati to make major landscaping and concrete adjustments to the to the public hospital areas to accommodate nearby residential housing.  Upon his graduation, he began his career with the City of Cincinnati as an Assistant City Planner in the Department of Economic Development, where he was well-respected in his field and work on major Hope Six projects throughout the country.

Mark knew early on that he was an entrepreneur at heart.  He began his first business at the age of 12 by starting a mail order business that was quite lucrative! He often took the road less traveled and created new opportunities for himself.  True to form, he followed his entrepreneurial heart.  He moved from Cincinnati to Richmond Virginia in the early 1990's to start a successful business, Stand and Deliver, which offered creative business solutions to companies needing office furniture and equipment.  Soon thereafter, by the mid 1990's, he began to fully employ his urban planning experience by focusing on real estate consulting, economic development opportunities and commercial contracting throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina. At the time of his death, Mark was the President and CEO of the Walton Realty Group in Hampton Virginia.

Mark's personality was vibrant; engaging; caring; kind and genuine.  Fun-loving comes to mind; he was a social butterfly and loved connecting with others.  There is not a person that Mark met that did not become his friend.  He was trusting -to a fault - of everyone he met, wanting to see the absolute best in everybody.  He loved deeply, cared deeply, and gave of himself freely.  His laugh was infectious, and he could make a cloudy day look bright by saying, "HELLO, darlin'!", followed by a huge hug and one of his charming and genuine smiles.  He loved to cook, and often created new recipes for his family and friends to savor.  He was an avid motorcycle aficionado, owning a motorcycle he called "Lil' Red."

Mark married Venita Renee Garvin in Cincinnati in 1990; their union lasted until 1996.   In September 2015, Mark married Pamela Renee Williams in Richmond, Virginia.  Recently, in January 2018, Mark and Pamela moved to Hampton Virginia, where Mark was working on contracting and consulting opportunities in the Hampton Roads area.  Mark's dream of living near the water and of someday owning his own C-Dory boat was quickly coming to pass.  Pam and Mark enjoyed living ten minutes from the beach.  Mark particularly enjoyed concerts at the Hampton Coliseum and many cultural outlets, museums and historical sites that were unique to Virginia.  Mark was born again and baptized in the Christian faith in January 2018.  Together, Pamela and Mark joined Church of Destiny in Newport News Virginia in December 2018.

While Mark cherished all of his friends and family, Mark was particularly close with his mother, Connie Walton.  He called her his "Shero" for all the many sacrifices she made to help him become the man he was.   He was very protective of her and appreciated everything she had poured into him throughout his life.   Although miles separated them physically, Mark and Connie would frequently talk and they would share each other's problems, concerns, pains and victories.  Mark and Connie were not only mother and son, but they shared a beautiful friendship that spanned decades. Connie knew that she could confide in Mark about her dreams, hopes and aspirations.

Mark departed this earth having no children, but he considered himself to be a second father to his brother Randall's daughter, Adrienne.  The two talked several times a week, sometimes for hours on end.  Their bond was incredibly special. Mark leaves behind to mourn his wife, Pamela Walton; his mother, Connie Walton; father, James Walton; brothers Greg (wife Lisa), Randall (wife Trina), Jeff and Kevin; half sisters Kaia West (husband Gerry) and Kenisha Walton; nieces Adrienne, Kelsey, Dana, Shelby and Amir; nephews Yaqob, Jalen, Kevin Jr., and Anais, and a host of cousins, friends and extended family.

We miss you so very much, Mark.  Your death is a death out of season.  Those left behind will mourn the loss of your rich laughter, active mind, carefree spirit and luminous smile.  You are gone way too soon, but we know we shall meet again some day. Godspeed until that day.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Saturday, January 19, 2019, at the Mt Zion Baptist Church, 10180 Woodlawn Blvd, Cincinnati  (45215).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am.

To share a memory of Mark or leave a special message for the Walton family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati (45206)  is serving the  Walton family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.