Lee Allan Walton

LEE ALLAN WALTON April 24, 1935 - December 20, 2016 Lee passed peacefully from cancer, his loving family by his side in the home he built in Morgan Hill. Survived by his soul mate and wife Susan of 65 years, daughter Shawn Walton Barreras, son Lon Walton, grandchildren Morganleigh Barreras, Luke Walton, and Natalie Walton, son-in-law Todd Barreras, and daughter-in-law Victoria Walton. Lee was born in Centerville (Fremont) California, a man with many interests and talents who lived his life to the fullest. Lee loved his family, water polo, scuba and free diving hunting, fishing, traveling, working outdoors and spending time with his friends. Retired Army Captain, was an Army Ranger and then served as Company Commander of his Reserve Unit in Hayward. While in college at S.J.S.U. he was in the Army R.O.T.C. Retired Professor San Jose State University Kinesiology Department after 35 years. Honored as Distinguish Alumnus Professor Kinesiology Department 2000. Recipient of Professional Service Award 2016. As an athlete played Water Polo for San Jose State 1953-1956, senior year was co- captain of the team. 1957 was voted into the Helms Hall of Fame and the San Jose State College Hall of Fame. Played for the San Francisco Olympic Club for 4 years and was a member of the 1958 National A.A.U. Championship team. 1956 was Named 1st alternate to the United States Olympic Team. Member of Blue Key National Honor Fraternity San Jose State Chapter. Began coaching career at Washington High School in Fremont where his swimming and water polo teams captured 9 out of a possible 16 championships, never finishing below 2nd in the league. Other teams in the league were Santa Clara and James Lick Honored by the school year book as Hatchet Coach of the Year. After 4 years at Washington High School began coaching at San Jose State. Coached SJSU water polo team from 1961-1972 winning 14 championships. During this time he coached: 27 players to All American status, some honored more than 1 year, thus having players being All Americans 49 times. 8 players honored into the San Jose State University Hall of Fame. 1 Olympian and 14 players on the United States National Team. 1967 won the Loyola Of Chicago Invitational. His1968 SJSU team won the first National Collegiate Championship. 1971 won the Puerto Rico International Invitational Tournament, John Gebers Most Valuable Player. 1972 won the United States National AAU Championships in Puerto Rico, winning this championship allowed SJSU to be the only California college team to play the U.S.S.R. National team that won the 1972 Olympics on their tour of the United States. Game was played at De Anza before over 1000 spectators. Honored 5 times as Northern California’s Water Polo Coach of the year. Honored by the American Aquatics Coaches as the Outstanding Coach of the year in 1969. Throughout his career as SJSU Water Polo coach played various National teams: Russia, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Venezuela, and Argentina. 1969 American Aquatic Coaches Association Coach of the Year Banquet of Champions Santa Clara Valley Sports Hall of Fame and Overall Coach of the Year. Santa Clara Valley Broadcasters Banquet of Champions, Coach of the Year. Published numerous articles on Water Polo in the National Water Polo Magazine. Developed Water Polo Decathlon. SJSU was the first team to use ear guards on water polo caps, now used Internationally. Speaker at clinics held at UC Berkeley, Stanford, USC, Irvine, Fresno, and San Jose. Played major role in the formation of the N.C.A.A. Water Polo Rules Committee and Championship Tournament Committee, secretary for organization. 1974 coached for the United States in the World Student Games held in Moscow winning the Bronze Medal. 1975 coached Puerto Rico’s team for the Central American games held in Cuba and for the Pan American games held in Puerto Rico. 1976 coached Queensland, Australia teams for the Australian Nationals where 2 of the teams won Gold. 2006-2010 coached Master’s Water Polo ages 55+ and 60+. Won 5 National Championships, 2 Senior Games Championships and 2 Fina World Championships, one played at Stanford the other in Perth, Australia. Most recently Lee was a member of a committee that had to raise funds to bring back Water Polo to San Jose State University, the sport had been discontinued for 32 years. After retiring from coaching, Lee continued teaching, and was dive master for SJSU scuba program. Several students became World Champion Sport Divers. In the 70’s volunteered his time to help clean the ocean floor of war debre and live ammunition in Truk Logoon, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Micronesia to make habitats for sea life and divers to safely enjoy. In High School, Lee lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. Never played water polo. While playing football for San Jose State broke his wrist, started watching water polo and became interested in playing the sport as he saw a possibility of going to the Olympics. His mother’s brother, Lee’s uncle, went to the Olympics in the 30’s as as a Javalin Thrower. N.C.A.A All American’s coached (some more than 1 year): Gary Read, John Williamson, Jim Monsees, Frank Barnes, Bruce Hobbs (goalie), Bill Parker, Jack Likens, Mike Runnels (goalie), Mike Albright, Steve Hoberg, Bob Likins (goalie), Dennis Lombard (goalie), Dan Landon, Greg Hind, Tim Halley, Dennis Belli, Bill Gerdts, Mike Monsees, Steve (Harpo) Hamann (goalie), Fred Belcher, Jim Williamson, Ken Belli, Brad Jackson, Ed Samuels, Bruce Watson, Steve Spencer, and John Gebers. San Jose State University Hall of Fame: Jack Likins, Bob Likins, Greg Hind, Brad Jackson, Steve (Harpo) Hamann, Bill Gerdts, Bruce Watson, and Ed Samuels. National Players coached were: Bill Gerdts, leading scorer for the United States team that won the Gold Medal at the 1972 Pan American games. Greg Hind, Jack Likins, Bob Likins (goalie), Steve Hoberg, Tim Halley, Jim Williamson, Dennis Belli, Dennis Lombard (goalie), John Schmidt, Steve (Harpo) Hamann (goalie), Bruce Watson, Ed Samuels, and John Gebers. Olympic Player: Steve Hamann, Goalie. U.S.A. boycotted games, held in Russia 1980. World Student Games held in Russia 1974. Steve Hamann who was Voted Outstanding Goalie of the World, Brad Jackson, John Gebers and Ed Samuels. Member of Gustine Gun Club where he began going out to the marsh with his father at the age of 5. Lee continued this sport with his wife by his side, his children, grandchildren, and friends. Portion of Thanksgiving Day, this year was spent, doing what he loved, hunting for pheasants. He is preceded in passing by his father Allan Walton a 3rd generation of California and his mother Josephine Walton. He will be missed by all who walked his path. Celebration of Life to be held at the Morgan Hill Community Cultural Center on February 26th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.