Donald Walden

Donald Dean Walden, BMC, USN Retire Graveside Services for Donald Dean Walden of Crawford, NE will be held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Crawford City Cemetery with Reverend Gregory Sonnenschien officiating. Burial will be with Military Honors provided by the Chadron Veterans Honor Guard and the US Navy Honor Guard. Donald Dean passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, NE. Don was born in Crawford, on August 21, 1932 to Rusty & Opal Walden. He graduated Crawford High School at the mere age of 16, ready to follow his father's footsteps for a career on the railroad. Come to find out, Don was color blind so he was politely turned away. Don's plan B was to sail the high seas by joining the United States Navy. However, that plan did not yet come to fruition, because he was simply too young to join. So he decided to go next door to the United States Air Force Recruiting office. For the next three years Don was stationed overseas as a United States Airmen. Finally, when he was of age, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Don proudly served 11 consecutive years at sea without shore leave on the Destroyer USS St Paul, Destroyer USS Small, Carrier USS Forestall, and Carrier USS Constellation. While on shore leave in Crawford on the 4th of July, Donald met a gal Wyvonna "Bonnie" Joan Goble at his favorite drinking hole 'The Buckaroo' just across the Wyoming border. The two continued to date over the next five years with plans to marry once Don received shore duty. Don and Bonnie decided they couldn't wait any longer and were wed in Denver, CO on December 28, 1963. Now married, Don was finally assigned shore duty at the Naval Amphibious Base in San Diego, CA. Don would say that marrying Bonnie was the only thing that kept him from being at sea. In May 1967, Don received new orders and endured a one year tour in Vietnam as a "River Rat" on a river patrol boat (PBR). One year later he was stationed in Vallejo, CA as an N.I.O.T.C. instructor. Don retired after a 20 year military career as a BMC E-7 on December 15, 1970. Don & Bonnie then settled down in San Diego, CA where Don worked for the United States Post Office. The couple enjoyed the California lifestyle and raised their two sons, Curtis Lee & Clint Roy. In 1993, Don retired from the Post Office and he & Bonnie moved back to his hometown of Crawford to care for his mother Opal and enjoy the simple life. Don was a proud American and was passionate about; his family, reading about war history, keeping his yard well-groomed, Huskers football, crossword puzzles, and the weather channel. Don believed that less is more, and liked to make sure everything was put in its proper place. Don is survived by; his two boys, Curtis Lee & Clint Roy, two grandchildren, Brianna Opal & Aaron Michael, his sister Sharon Landis, her husband Larry Landis, and their two boys Brad & Brandon, and his dog Chip. Don would like memorials to be made to the Crawford Rescue Unit. �½�½Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE �½�½69337

Service:

Monday, July 27, 2015 ~ 2:00 PM

Crawford City Cemetery ~ Crawford, Nebraska