John is hard-working and industrious, providing for his family by running a small sawmill on Walton’s Mountain. He’s good-natured, wise, and fearless; ready to take a stand and tell it like it is. Despite his Baptist roots, and in contrast to his wife, Olivia, John has a different take on what it means to know, love, and walk with God.

INSP viewers chose their favorite Walton – here’s what some said about John…

From ~ MJ, Arkansas

This character was the image of the father I always wanted. John was slow to anger, had great humor and was hard working. He may have expressed some frustration, but he never complained. He provided for his family everything they needed….physically and emotionally.

From ~ Trini, Illinois

Well, growing up in a large family with a lot of brothers and sisters, I was the youngest so I was treated like an outcast but when my dad paid attention to me, only, it made me feel special. Just like John Senior, he always treated Elizabeth like a queen and my dad did the same with me. Don’t get me wrong, he loved all of us kids and he was also wise and fun. Now that he’s gone, by me watching The Waltons, brings memories of my dad so it gives me a part of him every time. So, Daddy, I dedicate The Waltons to you.

From ~ Elaine, North Carolina

John was a good man. He was always the same every day. He didn’t try to change to impress anyone. What you saw is what you got. He was a good and honest man that loved and took care of his family.

From ~ Melanie, Georgia

He is a good man who works hard to provide for his family and help his children achieve their dreams. He is still very much in love with his wife, and his family is his whole world.

From ~ Roberta, California

I love all the Walton family members. I grew up watching them and love watching them again now. As for John Walton, he always held the entire family together no matter what happened. I guess it’s also because I wish I had a dad like him when I was growing up.

From ~ Chris, Maryland

He reminds me so much of my grandfather who raised me and I miss dearly.

From ~ Dee, Montana

John Senior has a quiet strength, non-pretentious and natural demeanor. His loving heart and nurturing wisdom makes him a solid figure of a man and father.

From ~ Marcie Mississippi

He reminds me of my dad. Firm, yet loving. Full of wisdom and strength. Always putting family first but always ready to help a neighbor.

From ~ Tammy, Arizona

It really is hard to select one favorite Walton. I grew up with The Waltons and still today love to watch the show. It has morals and values. Having to select one favorite, it would have to be John Walton. He was the glue that held the family together. He showed kindness, love and nurturing ways but also showed the determination, fortitude and inspiration to keep going no matter how tough times get – The true example of a father’s hands are a blessing from above. I grew up with a strong father and feel that more of society needs to reflect back to the values and morals of The Waltons and not walk away when things get a little tough. The Waltons reflected the strength that was provided by John Walton to face and overcome many tough times. While John Walton may not have been the perfect man, he showed the values of independence and love for others and their beliefs. I think that The Waltons are the definition of PAYING IT FORWARD. The times were tough for the Waltons but the love and belief in all that was good showed the lack of tangible wealth was nothing when you had the love of family and a strong provider like John Walton.

From ~ Evelyn, Michigan

I admire the quietness of his strength and his devotion toward his family as well as the love and passion he unashamedly displays toward his wife. He is the dad I would have wanted and the husband I never had. I have a crush on him! LOL!

From ~ Margarita, West Virginia

I am 79 years old. I lost my father when I was 6 years old. He died from TB having been gassed in WW1. I like to think that my father would have been like John Walton. I called him Daddy.

From ~ Valerie, North Carolina

John works quite hard to support his large family, including his parents, while at the same time maintaining special relationships with each family member. He embodies every quality a father, husband, and son should possess.

From ~ Jayne, Maine

John, the father, is my favorite because he reminds me so very much of my father. Not only in the way he acts, but the way he looks. I lost my father five years ago and, by watching John, I feel as if my father is close by. My father so truly resembles John that it makes me happy inside when I see his character on the show! I grew up watching The Waltons, as did my daughter and now my husband, and I watch every night. We make sure that we are home when it is time for The Waltons to come on! I so wish Americans would take a page out of the Walton’s book! Family always came first!! Thank you for showing this each day! I love it!!

From ~ Kathleen, Massachusetts

John Walton was a wonderful father, husband and son. He was gentle, honest, hardworking, and loving. He was not perfect, but able to learn from his mistakes. Though he was not a church-going man, he was an example to many of a man of Godly principles.

From ~ Margie, Arkansas

John Walton so reminds me of my own father who grew up on a plot of homestead land in Western Arkansas. He was an amazing storyteller who made the worst of times seem grand. When times were bad, he did as John Walton did, boarded a bus or train to find work, struggled with poor land conditions, and had the kindest soul, always giving a handout to someone in need.

From ~ James, Massachusetts

John Walton Sr. is my favorite Walton. During this tough economy, I am also struggling to provide for my wife and children. Watching John deal with the exact same issues, day-in and day-out, that I am dealing with (hard to find work, and the stress of wanting to give your children the best things in life when you know you can’t) I can relate to John. When I am feeling low, watching John brings me right back up and reminds me that anything is possible when you put your body and mind into it. If I could speak to John now I would love to thank him for being a huge inspiration to me. I would also like to thank INSP for bringing back The Waltons. It is a clean show that my whole family enjoys every week night at 8pm with no worries of my children seeing something they should not.

From ~ Chuck, Virginia

John was always a struggle. He had to weave his secular attitudes and influence with Olivia’s spiritual attitudes and influence. This can be very challenging. He reminds me so much of my own dad in many ways. At the end of the day, both their influences were the result of God’s work.

From ~ Mary, Mississippi

He is a good man and a good husband and father. Something we don’t have a lot of anymore!!!

From ~ April, Tennessee

I like John because he is down to earth and he always tried to teach his children to reach for the stars but not to go against their principles. He is an inspiration to fathers everywhere. The world would be a better place if more fathers were like him.

From ~ Christine, Missouri

He really reminds me of my own father in the way he deals with the children’s and family’s problems. Very loving, but strict, and fair! What’s not to love about him?

From ~ Theresa, Arizona

I think he’s just the greatest father, husband, son and friend. He’s hard working, loving towards his family, honest and he sees the good in people. If everyone grew up with a man like this in our lives we’d all be better off.

From ~ Chris, Pennsylvania

John Walton was a strong man who always had a confident word for his kids no matter what happened. My father was exactly the same way and both John and my dad instilled the proper way to live in their kids. Watching The Waltons today brings back the memories of watching the show with my parents much the same way the Waltons sat around a radio together. I surely miss that in life today.

From ~ Joye, Virginia

He was such a thinker and a romantic husband. I love the way he put his arm around Olivia and ask her if she wanted to go for a walk. He is every lady’s dream in a marriage! He sure is mine!

From ~ Robin, Tennessee

John Walton, the father, is my favorite Walton. As I have started watching The Waltons again, I realize what a good father he was. He was loving and kind and taught the children lessons in life – a lot of time without them even knowing that he was trying to teach them a lesson. He loved his children dearly and while he wanted to keep them at home, he realized that they were growing up and he had to let them spread their wings and leave home. He also knew that he sometimes had to let them learn their lessons the hard way but was always there to let them know how much he loved them, no matter what they had done wrong. I think this show is now a great teaching tool in how to raise your children.

From ~ Kim, South Dakota

John Walton is the type of man that everyone would be proud to be a family member of or at the very least a friend of. He loves his family and is not afraid to show it. He can be firm when needed, but loving and gentle at the same time. He’s honest, hardworking and wise, with a sense of humor thrown in. He’s the first one to offer help to a neighbor in need. He works hard to support his family, but will take time to smell the roses. I wish more men were like John Walton!