Melvin James Walton passed away this year at the age of 63 from complications related to surgery.

Mr. Walton is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy. He is survived by two children: Lamelle Horton and Carmelle Horton, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

From a young age, Mr. Walton was always a high energy person who loved being outdoors. While still in high school, he won several shooting tournaments and even managed to bag a state record sized deer. He found his soul mate and partner for life at the age of 22 when he married Dorothy Horton of nearby Hanover, North Dakota. Together, they founded the Hostetler Outdoor Equipment Company, and for the next 50 years, providing high-quality camping gear, apparel, and hunting equipment. The success of the store gave the Hostetlers time to enjoy the outdoors and share their love of nature with their two children, each of which still works in some capacity in the family business. Since his wife's death ten years ago, Mr. Walton has been active in promoting the National Park system and raising money to fund land preservation projects nationwide.

The JWH Foundation is singly responsible for preventing over thirty-seven thousand untamed acres from development in southern North Dakota. Mr. Walton also spearheaded projects to create more hiking and bicycle trails through the forests of Northern California. In the last years of her life, he slowed down a bit as hip trouble limited his mobility and a string of illnesses found him in and out of hospitalized care. His children and grandchildren have remained by his side through it all.

Services will be held at Thomas Edison Memorial Funeral Home 07/22/2019 at 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.