Tributes to a cricket-loving father of three (From Gazette Series)

Tributes to a cricket-loving father of three

HE PLAYED football, skittles and cricket but the family of Steve Walton, who died suddenly bowling his fifth over last Saturday, has paid tribute this week to a man they knew only as dad.

Mr Walton, 50 and a father of three, had been playing for Oldlands Cricket Club near Berkeley when he suffered a suspected heart attack and died despite the best efforts of team members to revive him.

His 23-year-old son David was playing on the same team and witnessed his father collapse.

He said this week: "I was so glad to be there. It was absolutely horrible and shocking but we as a family are ever so glad one of us was there with him.

"Me and my brother Douglas will keep playing for the team and every game will be for dad."

The keen sportsman was born in Kent but moved to Dursley 18 years ago with wife Edwina, 49, to work as a PE teacher at Cam House School. He remained at the school for the rest of his career and was still teaching just last week.

Mr Walton was a regular visitor to the Lawns to watch Forest Green Rovers play and he lived his own football dreams out playing for both Berkeley Town and North Nibley football clubs.

"The biggest thing about Steve though was he was incredibly modest. He had loads of talent but never, never blew his own trumpet and played down his own achievements," his wife told the Gazette.

Despite his sporting passions, Mrs Walton said her husband's life focus was his family.

She said: "The essence of Steve was his family and he was very proud of the boys. He was such a loving father and husband.

"If this was going to happen then it happened where he was doing what he really loved at a place he really loved with people he really loved."

Mr Walton was also a music fan - an interest he shared with his eldest son Michael.

Bob Hunt, acting headteacher at Cam House school, said Mr Walton was part of the furniture.

He said: "He forged tremendous links with all the boys helping them through difficult times. He always had time for all the pupils and he will be sorely missed by everyone at the school."

Jimmy Thomas, president of Oldlands Cricket Club, said Mr Walton would be missed by his team mates.

He said: "Steve was a wonderful sportsman - he was a very popular guy with all of us.

"He was an inspiration. I have nothing but praise for him."

Mr Walton leaves behind three sons, Michael, 25, David, 23 and Douglas, 15 and wife Edwina, 49.