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Richard Walden

1942 - 2025

Richard Walden obituary, 1942-2025, Missoula, MT

BORN

1942

DIED

2025

Richard Walden Obituary

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Lorrine Walden. His legacy lives on through his family. Barry is survived by his wife, Loli Walden, his son, Shane Walden, his grandchildren, Zach Walden, Isaac Sampson, Skye Walden, and his great-granddaughter, Cedar Bassett. His loss is mourned by his siblings, Peggy Mcgee, Patty Kelley, and his brother, John Lee Walden. His extended family of many nieces and nephews mourn alongside them.

Barry was anything but ordinary. Barry began playing in Livingston, MT in the late 1950s, where he became a "Fonzie" to his younger peers. He met his wife in 1962, in a crowd at Wilcoxon's in Livingston, MT where he crawled over others to get to her, struck by her beauty. He played and toured around Montana in his band, Barry and the Jaywalkers, until he made it big in the Bay Area of California, where he played at the Filmore in San Francisco from 1966-1969, playing alongside Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver, Lightning Hopkins, New Generation, The Charlatans and The Grateful Dead. A car accident in 1969 paused his music career. He was tenacious, and despite having to learn to play music all over again, he was playing just a year later. He spent the remainder of his music career, mostly in Montana, playing from 1970 until the late 1990s. He slowed down his music career when the coffee business he opened with his wife and son, Hooked on Java, took off in 1995. The coffee business lasted for about 20 years and became a source of many friends. Barry brought joy to many throughout his life, first with his music, and then by delivering hot drinks in his bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Throughout his adventures, travels, trials, and tribulations, his deep love and passion for his wife persisted.

To celebrate his life, his family and friends will gather at a private residence in Livingston, MT on September 13th, 2025, to share stories and music, enjoy a Pabst, smoke some grass, and spread his ashes in the places he enjoyed most as a young man. For more information, please contact Shane Walden at 406-240-4544.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Missoulian on Sep. 6, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Cassie Maguire

Yesterday

It is with a very sad heart that I offer this memory of Barry. We met when I was a student nurse at Missoula Vo-Tech. He was on staff there and I pretended to play guitar in my spare time. He had the most patient, laid- back manner of trying to teach me songs and never once made me feel badly about myself. Loli was and is an angel and all the rest of that family are held in the highest regard, including his parents. I am so sorry. This is a great loss. With hope and healing. Cassie Maguire

Dave Metier

September 6, 2025

Barry and I were friends at a very young age, I used to ride in the Log Truck with Barry and his Dad, remember when he first started to play music, I moved out of the Area, didn't see him again until after the Accident when he was in Missoula. Barry always had an engery and Love for Music and a didication to live his Dream.

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