In Loving Memory Of Douglas Dean Walden
May 2, 1938 ~ Oct. 20, 2024
Douglas Dean Walden, 86, of Littlefield, Texas peacefully passed from this life at 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2024 after a quick decline in health. Douglas was born to Gordon Guy Walden and Francis Emma (Blue) Walden in Bula, Texas on May 2, 1938. Douglas married his high school sweetheart, George Ann Gerlach, whom he fondly called, "George", on December 31, 1956, in Clovis, New Mexico. Douglas and George Ann raised two sons, Gordon Dean Walden and Bradley Fred Walden, and later were surrounded by four loving grandchildren and two adopted grandchildren.
Douglas grew up on a farm in Littlefield, Texas, learning the many virtues of a rural lifestyle, especially irrigated and dry land farming. However, from a very young age, his passion was cattle. Even as a high school student, Douglas excelled in his agricultural and leadership activities, serving as the president of Farmers of America. Classmates said of Douglas in his 1956 senior annual: "Doug wielded a mean gavel" Littlefield remained Douglas' home and agriculture his livelihood throughout his life. As a younger man, Douglas served his community for numerous years in many areas of leadership, participating on various board of directors such as the Lamb County Stock Show and the Littlefield Area Stock Show board. He also served many years on the Federal Land Bank Board of Directors. He was an active member of the Red Angus Association. Additionally, Douglas served approximately 19 years on the Littlefield School Board. While on the school board he was able to present both of his sons with their high school diplomas during their graduation ceremony.
By example and sacrifice, Douglas taught his sons a strong work ethic that endures until today. Rising early in the morning and often working through the night, Douglas frequently worked two jobs: farming cotton, raising cattle and managing the Littlefield Coop Gin, Springlake Gin, and Good Pasture Grain Elevator. Planting Cotton…Moving sprinklers…stripping cotton…" tromping cotton" …pulling calves…raising show calves…traveling hundreds of miles to stock shows in San Angelo, El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston…fishing vacations in Red River…these are the character-building experiences Douglas valued and passed on to his sons. He taught Sunday School for a time and George Ann played the piano at First Baptist Church. George Ann and Douglas were awarded the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year on two separate occasions.
Douglas retired in 1981 but prior, he raised cotton, wheat, grain sorghum and cattle. His preference in cattle evolved over the years. He began his cattle operation raising registered Herefords. Later in his career, he raised Chianina cattle before moving on to Red Angus, and then finally Black Angus. Douglas loved raising and maintained a small herd after retiring.
Douglas is survived by one brother, David Guy Walden, of Sandy Ridge, North Carolina; two sons, Gordon Dean Walden (Cena), and Bradley Fred Walden (Mary Lou) of Littlefield; four grandchildren, Ashton Douglas Walden (Whitney) of Idalou, Texas, Aundrea Tristene Guinn of Littlefield, Timbra Lorraine Yoakum (Scott) of Canton, Texas, Natalie Bradell Essary (Kevin) of Littlefield; two adopted grandchildren, Viata LaRusch Foster (David) of Fort Worth, and Dr. Kahmien LaRusch of Las Vegas, Nevada; great grandchildren. Lansdon and wife, Katie, Kathryn, Trinity, Cori, Jennison, Weston and Channing; Ex-wife, Manuela Walden; three stepsons, Jose, Ernesto and Javier and their wives; one step-daughter, Anahi and her husband; numerous step-grandchildren, extended family and beloved friends.
Services were held at 10:00 o'clock on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Littlefield with Pastor Tanner Wilson officiating.