Richard Garold Walden, also known as “Gary” or “Coach”, passed away peacefully at his home on July 10th, 2016. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 13th, from 6-8 at Blessings Funeral Home in Mansfield. Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 14th at 10:30 at Woods Chapel in Arlington. He will be laid to rest at DFW National at 2:15 shortly after.
Richard was born March 13th, 1948 in Durant, OK to James and Peggy Walden. He graduated from Kennedale High School in 1967 and joined the U.S. Army in 1969, earning many merits. Richard proudly served from 1969-1976 and was a Vietnam Veteran. Among his many accomplishments, he was an endowed Mason, a dedicated employee to U.S.P.S. for many years, a softball coach to his daughters and many more for 18 years, a member of Fielder Bass Club, and a member of Mansfield Bass Club. Richard was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also was a member of Woods Chapel Baptist Church. In 2006, he married his loving wife Paula. He was a devoted husband, a doting father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, cousin, and most of all, a friend.
Survivors include his Wife, Paula Walden; Daughter, Audra Wells and husband Jeff, grandkids Tanner and Hannah; Daughter, Abby Stuart and husband Chris, grandkids Farren, Keagan, and Deakon; Son, Jarrod Rottman and wife Andrea, grandkids Julia, Jaylen, and Jenna; Son, Justin Rottman and wife Courtney, grandkids Jude, Luke, and Chloe; Daughter Jaime Rottman and husband Ryan Simpson, grandkids Jordan Rottman, Ariana Ayala, Isabelle Simpson, great grandkids Ava Stanton; Brother, Gaylord Walden and wife Rhonda; Sister, Gwen Irwin and husband Michael; Nephews, Tony Walden, Rickey Walden, Scotty Walden and wife Callie.
The family request that donations be made in Gary’s name to: Paralyzed Veterans of America at pva.org or American Heart Association at heart.org.