Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1959
In March of 1959, a young graduate of Marquette University and former member of the Special Forces Airborne division made his way to the small western town of Reno, Nevada. When he got to Reno, Ed McCaffery purchased the original Walton’s funeral home, located at the corner of Second and Vine Streets, and a Nevada legend was born.
In the last five decades, Walton’s Funerals and Cremations has grown into one of the largest family-owned funeral home businesses in the nation, with five locations in the Reno-Tahoe area.
In 1986, Ed’s daughter Tammy Dermody used her education to join the family business and help her father grow Walton’s into what it is today. A Reno native and Bishop Manogue graduate, Tammy attended Santa Clara University and promptly came back home once she graduated.
A mom first and a businesswoman second, Tammy has carried on her father’s unwavering support for education in Northern Nevada by volunteering weekly at Bishop Manogue High School. Tammy also provides scholarships to Bishop Manogue High School every year.
Tammy shares her father’s passion for community involvement outside of the classroom. She sits on the advisory board of CASA and The Solace Tree, a local organization that helps children and teens deal with grief. She also sits on the boards for The Children’s Cabinet, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, and Casa de Vida.
Ed McCaffery, the patriarch of Walton’s, passed away January 28, 2018, but his legacy still lives on.
Walton’s Next Chapter
On November 27, 2019, long time employees, Rick Noel and Kim Kandaras purchased Walton’s Funerals and Cremations.
Rick Noel has been with the company for more than 22 years, most recently serving as General Manager. Over the past 11 years, he has been responsible for daily operations, financial management, staff oversight, community relations and marketing. Rick is a third-generation funeral service professional and has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 37 years. He’s a member of the Executives Association of Reno, where he served two terms on the board of directors and is a member of the Prospector’s Club.
Kim Kandaras has been with the company for 20 years serving in the role of Controller. She has been responsible for budgeting, oversight of accounting staff, reporting, risk management and controls, as well as operational oversight in her role. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Nevada Society of Public Accountants, and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has served as a board member for the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno American Little League and the Northern Nevada Chapter of Dress for Success.
