Joseph Paul Walden

Joseph Paul Walden, 92, of Olton, died Friday, June 13, 2025, in Olton, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2025, at Olton Methodist Church, with Brother Kyle Brock officiating. A reception will follow at Olton Methodist Church under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 19, at Ramage Funeral Directors.

Joseph Paul Walden was born April 5, 1933, in Amherst, Texas, to Ernest William and Alpha Pearl (Edgin) Walden. Graduating from Olton High School in 1950, Paul attended West Texas State College, graduating in 1954. On April 4, 1953, Paul married Eva Osburn and they were married over 72 years. Following his graduation, Paul served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He also attended Texas Tech University where he received a master's degree in Zoology and Physics. He received a Fellowship grant from the National Science Foundation to study biochemistry at the University of Michigan. He had a research grant for plants and radiation at Texas Women's University and received a research grant from Atomic Energy Commission for radiation and biochemistry at McClellan Air Force Base, where he also taught at the college.

Paul was an outstanding teacher, successful farmer and hog raiser, as well as a scientist, rock collector, phenomenal builder and woodworker, and an amazing gardener. He loved teaching. When moving back to Olton in 1965, he started the South Plains Science and Engineering Fair so his students would have a venue to compete and move up. Every year he taught, he had students participate in the International Science Fair competing against students from all over the world. He found great joy in his students' success. Mr. Walden was instrumental in helping his students earn more than $7 million in academic scholarships. Known all around the area, Paul taught school at Lefors High School, McLennan Community College, Dimmitt High School, and Olton High School

Paul lived in many different places - Pennsylvania, Canyon, Lefors, Lubbock, Denton, and Waco, before returning to Olton in 1969. He attended the Olton Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and served on the financial committee for many years. He was involved in the Lions Club and served as a volunteer firefighter in Springlake and Olton. He was very proud of the numerous awards he received over the years including Teacher of the Year by the American Research Scientist, special service award for exemplary service in Science Education from the American Chemistry Society, and the South Plains Outstanding Teacher award by Texas Tech University. He also honored by the American Association of Physics Teachers, the South Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and received the Distinguished Achievement in Biology Education from the Texas Association of Biology Teachers.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Eva Dow Walden, and two brothers, Bill Walden and Amos Walden.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Syrena Carol Jurries and husband Stanley of Plainview, Cindy Campbell of Lamesa, and Leasa Walden of Roswell, and a brother, Travis Walden of Waco. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Brian Jurries and wife Melissa, Joshua Jurries, Kristen Vargas, Aaron Campbell and wife Emily, Jacob Brodbeck, and Eric Brodbeck and eight great-grandchildren: Adeline Jurries, Olivia Vargas, Martha Vargas, Raymond Vargas, Elizabeth Vargas, Levi Campbell, Morgan Campbell, and Cory Campbell.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Olton Cemetery Association PO Box 1055 Olton, Texas 79064 or the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association PO Box 1087 Olton, Texas 79064.