Darrell Wayne Walden

Darrell Wayne Walden, son of Arlus Wayne and Charlotte Joan (Skiles) Walden, was born April 5, 1955, in Tacoma, Washington. He departed this life on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in his home, at the age of sixty-nine years, one month, and twenty-five days. In 1964, at the age of nine, Darrell made his profession of faith in Christ.

On September 28, 1985, Darrell was united in marriage to Tammy Lea Vaughan, and to this union two children were born.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Lucas Wayne Walden.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Tammy, of the home; his son, Dillon Walden, and wife Tiffany of Richland, Missouri; his daughter, Codi Shepherd and husband Brandon of Montreal, Missouri; his grandchildren, Landon Dolan, Laney Walden, Logan Walden, Leland Walden, Lylah Walden, Levi Walden, Sadie Shepherd, Barrett Shepherd, and Ricky Shepherd; his sisters, Debra Davis and Julie Scott, both of Battlefield, Missouri; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Rita Vaughan of Springfield, Missouri; his beloved K-9 companion, Goose, as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends.

Darrell spent his younger years in various locations while his dad was serving in the United States Army. He was a 1973 graduate of Southwest R-V in Washburn, Missouri, and received his Bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, in 1977. He worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation (Protection Division) from 1979 until he retired as a District Supervisor in 2009. Following his retirement, Darrell served as the Chief Deputy in the Camden County Sheriff’s Office from 2009 - 2016. He was very proud of his law enforcement career and firmly believed in showing fidelity to the highest possible standards of professionalism and ethics. Darrell received numerous commendations and awards throughout his career and served on several boards and commissions, but he was exceptionally proud of his time serving on the Board of Directors for Kid’s Harbor, a local Child Advocacy Center.

Darrell carried those qualities with him to his farm. After retiring from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, he became a successful cattle farmer. He loved spending time at his farm and cherished the peace it brought him. Since 2016, it was rare to see Darrell dressed in anything other than his overalls, a Carhartt t-shirt, and a hat bearing some type of farming logo.

His wife and children were the light of his life, but he was over-the-moon, head-over-heels crazy about his grandchildren, and tried to never miss an opportunity to spend time with them. Whether on the farm, fishing in the creek, or attending their numerous sporting events, Darrell was always there to support them and shower them with unconditional love. He especially loved teaching the grandkids how to wink, whistle, make an owl call, identify all types of wildlife, and the importance of saving money.

In his spare time, Darrell enjoyed scrolling through funny reels on TikTok and sending those via countless Facebook Messenger videos to his family.

Darrell was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, as well as a caring neighbor and friend. We were blessed to have him in our lives and even more blessed to have loved him. His memory will live forever in the stories that will continue to be told of him.

If friends and family feel moved to do so and wish for an alternative to sending flowers, Darrell would have been honored to have donations made in his name to Kid’s Harbor Child Advocacy Center. Those donations may be left at the funeral home.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in the Camdenton United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 pm Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in the Camdenton United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at the Walden Cemetery, Richland, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri.