After a valiant battle with cancer, Ken passed away on February 12, 2024.  Kenneth Brooks Walton was born in Tacoma, WA, on December 3, 1942, to Marge and Brooks Walton.  Joining his family were his brother, Don, and his sisters, Patti Dupen and Lori Barthe.  Ken attended Clover Park High School and Western Washington State College.  He met Marilyn in 1963, and they were married in 1965.  They gave birth to their daughters, Dawn Marie and Tricia Lynn.  They raised their family in University Place, WA.  Together, they owned a wholesale grocery distribution company, retiring in 2008.

Ken's most rewarding hobby was growing and exhibiting dahlias.  He was also a member of the Pacific Northwest Trial Garden crew at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.  His valuable work at the garden was much appreciated, and he was often the last worker to quit for the day.  Ken was the treasurer for the Washington State Dahlia Society and also a member of the Federation of the NW Dahlia Growers and the American Dahlia Society.  Over the years, he and Marilyn originated several award-winning dahlia varieties, naming them with the prefix Narrows, commemorating their home on the Tacoma Narrows.

Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn, and his daughters, Dawn (Aaron) Banks and Tricia (Stewart) Pachkofsky.  He is also survived by four grandchildren, AJ Banks, Kirsten Barrett, Andy Pachkofsky, and Erica Carpenter.  There are also five great-grandchildren, Jason Banks, Ryder Banks, Carter Barrett, Lilly Banks, and Brielle Barrett.

Ken will be missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews and many, many friends.