Dahlia Legacy Project

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KEN AND MARILYN WALTON

In the decades the Waltons have devoted to raising dahlias, their spacious garden (within eyesight of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) has given visitors a spectacular waterfront viewpoint. For Ken and Marilyn, the display ties the knot between their avocation and their personal blessings. After moving from a shady domicile, the couple found a new home with tons of sunlight not far away. Plus, there was the view . . .

The Waltons joined the Washington State Dahlia Society in 1991 and vowed to become active members. Soon after, they also signed on with the Federation. And from those beginnings, the busy pair took out time from their food distribution business to support shows, club, and Federation activities. They started exhibiting with early success, and had major responsibilities at Federation-sponsored ADS national shows. For the 2014 National Ken was treasurer, and together they were responsible for a houseful of goody bags prepared for show visitors.

Marilyn took over the Tacoma Trial Garden and made it the standout attraction in Point Defiance Park. A diligent and energetic gardener, Marilyn has tended the plantings throughout the growing season, often assisted by her (now-retired) husband.

Federation members particularly appreciate their annual organization and sponsorship of trial garden judging classes. Exhibitors can count on astute and instructive assessment as Ken and Marilyn handle their judging assignments in shows. They can often be found at an ADS National Show, wherever it may be held. Highly esteemed by the membership, the Waltons also have held several positions in their own club, including Ken’s service as Washington State Dahlia Society Federation representative.

For the past decade, the couple also has made a name for themselves in the hybridization of exhibition dahlias. Starting with Narrows Tricia, that yellow bombshell, the Narrows lineup lists more than a dozen introductions. Having a close, ongoing function as trial garden director gives Marilyn valuable insights into what makes for a winning dahlia. Not given to mass introductions, the Walton approach is deliberate and has a keen focus on perfection. The dahlia world – and particularly the Federation – is blessed by having two people who spare neither time nor expense in supporting these activities.

2/12/24

We are very saddened to report that Ken Walton passed away this morning.  Ken and his wife, Marilyn, have been long-time members of the Washington State Dahlia Society. Marilyn was director of the Pacific Northwest Trial Garden for many years and Ken was always there helping. They both continued to work on a weekly basis in the trial garden even after I took over as trial garden director. Ken was a hard worker; we could always find Ken as his “Oberto” red jacket was easily seen. He was a hard worker and was always one of the last to stop!  

Ken and Marilyn were avid exhibitors attending many shows in the Pacific Northwest and several national shows. Their blooms could often be found on the head table! Their knowledge in dahlia hybridizing is recognized by their originations with the “Narrows” prefix. One of the best known is Narrows Tricia, which appears in many shows throughout the US and even won an award in England.

Ken was the treasurer for WSDS for many years, taking extraordinary care of their finances. He also took on the responsibility of treasurer and registration for the Federation National Show in 2014. Ken was always there to support Marilyn in her many roles within the dahlia world. He will be greatly missed in WSDS as well as the Federation.

Terry Schroeder

Cultivar	Size	Form	Color	Color Description	Orig	Cnty	Year
DAWNIE BANKS	BB	SC	R		WAL-	US	09
NARROWS AARON	A	SC	Y	YL1	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS AJ	M	FD	R	RD22	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS ANDREA	BB	SC	Y	YL9	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS ANDY	BB	C	LB	OR6/YL5	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS BIG BOY	AA	SC	Y	YL4	WAL-	US	15
NARROWS BROOKS		MB	R	RD6	WAL-	US	13
NARROWS DAWN BANKS	B	SC	LB	LV8/WH2	WAL-	US	23
NARROWS DAWN MARIE	BB	SC	DB	OR15/YL17	WAL-	US	11
NARROWS DONNIE	B	IC	LB	PK14/YL4	WAL-	US	18
NARROWS ERICA	M	FD	BR	BR1	WAL-	US	10
NARROWS JASON	BB	C	L	LV12	WAL-	US	17
NARROWS KIRSTEN		BA	DP	DP14	WAL-	US	08
NARROWS LORI		BA	LB	YL18/DP11	WAL-	US	19
NARROWS MARGE	BB	SC	DB	LV12/WH3	WAL-	US	13
NARROWS MARILYN	A	SC	R	RD12	WAL-	US	22
NARROWS MINDED AL	B	SC	W	WH1	WAL-	US	20
NARROWS MOM	BB	SC	L	LV7	WAL-	US	22
NARROWS PAM		BA	L	LV9	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS PATTI		ST	R	RD19	WAL-	US	18
NARROWS RAY	A	SC	Y	YL3	WAL-	US	14
NARROWS RONNIE	BB	SC	DB	LV10/WH2	WAL-	US	18
NARROWS RYAN	B	LC	FL	RD5/OR12	WAL-	US	20
NARROWS RYDER	BB	FD	W	WH2	WAL-	US	17
NARROWS SONJA	B	SC	DB	DP24/YL8	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS STEW P	A	ID	R	DR5	WAL-	US	22
NARROWS STEWART	A	SC	Y	YL9	WAL-	US	13
NARROWS TRICIA	B	SC	Y	YL9	WAL-	US	06
NARROWS TYLER	B	C	LB	OR6/YL18	WAL-	US	12
NARROWS VERNA	BB	IC	Y	YL15	WAL-	US	15
NINA JEANNE		MS	DR		WAL-	US	12