Dr. Theodore (“Ted”) Burdette Walton Jr., 83, formerly of Oxford, Mich., died suddenly on Aug. 1, 2024 at home in Grovetown, Ga. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Carleton) Walton, daughters Alicia (Benjamin) Steele and Meredith (Michael) Tongish, granddaughters Grace Steele, Phoebe and Addie Tongish, as well as nieces, nephews, and their families. Ted was born in Detroit on Aug. 22, 1940, to Theodore B. Walton Sr. and Margaret Pahl. He studied Biology at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich. where he met Nancy. He attended Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, earning an O.D. in Optometry in 1966. He and Nancy were married on Aug. 6, 1966. They moved to Detroit where he joined his father’s optometry practice. This included working in Oxford, which became his sole practice in 1975, and grew into Walton & Becker Eyecare. Oxford held a special place in Ted’s heart. He said once in an interview, “Oxford has been very, very good to me. The people have given me the chance to really practice optometry on a full scope, instead of just being an eyeglass dealer. I’ve been able to develop the kind of practice I wanted to in an area I could grow with.” Ted was a devoted and active father to his twin daughters Alicia Merritt and Meredith Lynne who were born in 1977. Meredith and Alicia brought joy and light into his and Nancy’s lives, and made everything more fun. At his core, Ted was well known for his love of life and large personality. You could always tell where he was by his laugh from wherever he was telling his favorite jokes. He saw the positive in life and the best in others. He and Nancy had many close friends who they acquired, with whom they loved planning adventures and exploring the world. Ted was an active member of the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA), earning their Lifetime Achievement Award, and the American Optometric Association. He was a dedicated volunteer (Oxford’s Lion’s club, Opening Eyes at Special Olympics Michigan, Lake Orion Methodist Church). Ted’s other passions included sailing and golfing. A Celebration of Ted Walton’s Life will be hosted by family and friends at Lake Orion United Methodist Church on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either Community of Meals at Lake Orion United Methodist or Opening Eyes at Special Olympics Michigan. For links to these donations or to RSVP for the celebration, please see the complete obituary at https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries.