Walter Ray Naff

FORT WORTH - Walter R. Naff, a retired clergyman and university professor, passed away on May 3, 2024, at his home in Ridgmar Place Senior Living Community. He was 100-years-old.
A memorial service celebrating his life and ministry will be held at Ridglea Christian Church on May 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Remains will be interred in the Memorial Garden at Ridglea Christian Church.
Walter was born in Wilbur, Washington on October 15, 1923 to Ray and Mary Naff, a farmer and student nurse. He graduated from high school in Zillah, Washington. He later graduated from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon after also attending the University of Oregon. Upon entering college, his intention was to study medicine, but after a year of study he decided, were he a doctor, not even he would be one of his patients. In 1954, he earned the Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School, TCU and in 1983 received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Northwest Christian College.
After serving pastorates in Washington and Oregon for 14 years, Walter returned to Texas; he had been invited to join the faculty of TCU's Brite Divinity School. He was tasked to create and direct the program of supervised ministry. He taught at Brite until his retirement in 1988. His pastoral and teaching experience was marked by a deep commitment to social justice and racial understanding.
Following his retirement, he was elected to serve as first president of the South Hills Neigborhood Association, the City of Fort Worth Zoning Commission, and later the Board of Adjustment. He continued to serve as interim pastor of several churches in Fort Worth and Dallas. After he and his wife, Jayne, joined the Fort Worth chapter of Friendship Force, they traveled abroad extensively. Following one such trip to Canada, Walter returned to begin the study of watercolor painting at the age of 78, which continued to be a passion up to the time of his death. He exhibited in a number of art shows locally and won awards for his offerings. In addition to his painting, Walter honed skills in stained glass work. In 1983, he also found himself featured in the Fort Worth Star Telegram displaying his intricate work on an N-gauge model railroad layout.
A fifty year member of Kiwanis, he served the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis and the University Area Club of Fort Worth. He served the district through chairing various committees, was a past-president of the Past Lt. Governor's Association, and the District Kiwanis Foundation. He was president of that Foundation for two years and oversaw tremendous growth in both assets and service to youth. In 2000 -2001, he was awarded the Circle K International, T-O District Circle of Service Award for service to children and youth. This afforded him an avenue for implementing his deep commitment to the educational. social, and literary development of children and young people. He read regularly to children at a Head Start Center and enjoyed his role as a story-reader for one of the Barnes and Noble stores in Fort Worth.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Naff; and his wife, Jayne Naff.
He leaves to survive him: two daughters, Debbie Dacus and her husband, Brent of Fort Worth and Monza Naff and her wife, Sharon Ellison, of Reno, Nevada; a stepdaughter, Becky Hoover of Fort Worth; three stepsons, Steven Wyatt of Dallas, James Wyatt and his wife, Heather Gabriel, of Washington state, and John Wyatt of Carrolton; beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and scores of other treasured relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation or the scholarship fund of Brite Divinity School, TCU.