Lamar F. Walden

Lamar F. Walden 89, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2010. From a plow boy in the sand hills of Texas, to a fly boy with the USAF, stationed in Japan and Korea, life has been full of twists and turns. Born in Freeport, Texas, September 27, 1920 to Cass and Floid Walden. Lamar Left home at a very young age. At 16 he served in Roosevelt's Tree Army, driving truck. With only a grade school education he enlisted with the Air Force and continued his education at the University of North Dakota. In the air force he was a cook, butcher, baker and pilot. At Edwards Air Force base he was one of Chuck Yeager's flight planners. His last military assignment was a reconnaissance mission into Korea with his "Mosquito Squadron". Upon returning to the states he farmed in North Dakota for a former teacher at the university. In 1954, he married the former Ione Loar of Tulare. They had met in Tachikawa, Japan. With many mouth to feed he began a 23 year career as a maintenance engineer with Dairyman's Creamery. After retiring his many interests kept him busy. His family and traveling were two of his loves. Autos and trucks were a life-long hobby for him and enjoyed the many friendships this had brought him. He was well known for the many editorials he had written over the years to the local paper. Clad in his hard hat and white cotton gloves many will remember him. Having survived the war, he had a different battle to fight in 2004, when a mosquito bit him and he got the West Nile Virus. It took many months but he again pulled through. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Ione Loar Walden. A son Neil Walden and wife Cindy of Tulare, Daughters Nancy Bradley and husband Dick of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Raeme Sharley and husband Sonny of Tulare, Tracy Rebelo and husband Joe of Tulare and one step-daughter Cathy Spradley of Visalia. 12 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-grandchildren. his two loving sisters Norma Curtis of Huston, TX and Lafrona Dereberry of Winnsboro, TX. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. He adored the people at Twin Oaks, who took such good care of him. A private Memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Miller's Tulare Funeral Home.