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Soldier Was Dedicated to Service
Lt. Col. James J. Walton, who grew up in Rockville, knew in fourth grade that he wanted a career as a soldier.
(Courtesy Of Department Of Defense)
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"To say you could always take him at his word was an understatement," said Frank Matrone, the best man at his wedding and a participant in that jump. "I never saw him make a bad decision. He was an all-around great guy."
Walton and his wife nurtured abused animals, including an adopted dog, Hannibal.
"Jimmy was a champion for the underdog," said sister Kyle Cottrell, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel. "He had a soft spot in his heart for people who couldn't help themselves."
Kenneth Holmberg, who lives two doors down from Walton's townhouse, remembered when a neighbor locked herself out. Walton grabbed a long ladder, climbed in through her bathroom window and came out the front door with the woman's keys in hand, he said.
"We all prayed for him when he was gone," Holmberg said. "Sometimes prayers aren't enough."
Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.
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