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Saying farewell to a free spirit

Amid tears, Dalshon Walton's family and friends remember the teen who was slain at a McDonald's.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published November 27, 2005

TAMPA - Dalshon Darrell Walton had a constant happy song in his head, and it was all he needed to break out into dance - in gym class and at parties, like no one was watching, except everyone always did.

The 17-year-old King High School senior was vibrant. Those who knew him say he was like a Tickle Me Elmo doll, except he never stopped laughing.

Saturday afternoon, 500 family members and friends gathered at Centerpointe Community Church in Temple Terrace to lay him to rest.

Dalshon was one of four young men hit by bullets when gunfire erupted in a McDonald's parking lot across the street from his high school shortly after dismissal Nov. 17.

The chaos began when fistfights broke out at the popular hangout. Suddenly, punches turned into bullets.

Sheriff's deputies have arrested Otis Lorenzo Neal, an 18-year-old former Middleton High School student. He's charged with second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and other offenses.

Three victims survived: 16-year-old Antonio Harris, who had been a student at King but withdrew; 15-year-old Damian Lamar Bowie, a freshman at King; and 19-year-old Alexander McKinnie, who isn't a student.

But at St. Joseph Hospital, Dalshon died.

Youth pastor Erik Ronne delivered Dalshon's eulogy Saturday, telling his friends to resist the urge for retaliation.

"Revenge is not the answer," Ronne said. "It is not the answer. One life was already taken. There's no need to lose any more, especially 17-year-old high school students that were going to graduate in May. No more."

Dalshon had been an active member of the church's youth group for two years, Ronne said. He was spiritual and spirited. He was always going, running, playing. He was well mannered and respected those in authority. He was full of life.

"He had his own style," Ronne said. "You couldn't put him in a box."

Dalshon sported crazy socks - SpongeBob SquarePants, Bob the Builder or a Christmas theme. He stood out in halls of King with his Tweety Bird backpack, the twists in his long hair, a sparkling smile that made everyone call him Elmo, and off-the-cuff songs that made some call him Juke Box.

"He had a beat in his head," Ronne said. "He could dance to air."

His friends stood still in the parking lot outside the church half an hour before the funeral. Car speakers blasted End of the Road by Boyz II Men, a bittersweet melody.

Ashley and Devon Greene leaned against a column away from the crowd.

"He made you want to laugh. He was a good person. It's sad," said Devon, 17. "The last time I saw him was the day that he died."

They had third period together at King, and Dalshon's desk remains empty in his memory. He was a class clown, one of the most popular students. But Dalshon was never too cool to crawl into bed and snuggle up to his grandmother, Mary Walton.

"He climbed right in there, with all those legs," she said.

He was a comfort to those around him, said 17-year-old Kenyonna Johnson, his classmate. "When we cried, he told us to keep our heads up and told us to stay in school. "Wake up in the morning and pray. Keep your head up,"' she said.

That was difficult for his loved ones to do Saturday. Tears streaked many faces. Sniffles and sighs filled the church sanctuary, punctuated by occasional wails. Several friends and family members collapsed as they approached the coffin to pay their final respects.

A quiet burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Dalshon is survived by his mother Talisha Eldridge, father Darrell Walton, two sisters, four brothers, four grandparents, five aunts, three uncles and a host of cousins and friends.

"Dalshon used to tell me all the time "I have something for you' but he would never tell me what it was," said his brother David Johnson. "But now I know. He left me love. What I will always remember about Dalshon most of all is that he loves me and I will always love him."

--Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 813 226-3354 or at azayas@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 27, 2005, 01:17:13]