Obituary for Walden Ray Woods
Early on the morning of July 7, 2022, Walden Woods was called home to eternal peace. Walden who was often called by friends Woody or Woods, was born on February 15, 1941, in Fort Worth, TX to Isaiah and Sarah Woods.
Walden was preceded in death by his parents Isaiah and Sarah Woods, his sister Ethel Mack, and a brother, Isaiah Woods 2nd. Walden leaves behind his devoted wife Patsy Woods, two doting daughters Patricia Mayers (John), Paula Woods; favorite grandson Anthony Woods, a brother John Henry Woods (Margie), Fort Worth, TX; a host of nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Walden was a studious young student attending I.M. Terrell School, Ft. Worth, TX, who excelled in math, science, and chemistry. Walden was encouraged by his high school instructor to accept a 5-year work study scholarship at the Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, AL. Walden graduated from Tuskegee with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. There he pledged and was initiated into the National Society of the Pershing Rifles.
In 1965 during a 6-month training in Denver, CO, Walden met and married the love of his life Patsy Fulbright and there they began their life’s journey of 57 years including a 20-year military career (8 years Air Force and 12 years Navy-Medical Service Corp). Assignments: Turkey, Greece, and several in the United States: Arizona, California, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. His last assignment and retirement ended as a Lieutenant Commander at the Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, where he was a Blood Bank Officer. Walden’s awards included: Air Force Missile Badge; Air Force Longevity Ribbon; Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology, Phoenix AZ; Navy Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; and Blood Banking Fellowship.
Other jobs after retirement in the area were at Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State and part-time at Children’s National Hospital in the Blood Bank laboratory.
Walden and family joined First Baptist Church of Highland Park on April 25, 1982. He made an effort to join many of the classes offered at Highland Park: Walden attended Sunday School which is now the Sunday Biblical Institute. He taught several classes to include the Men’s Discipleship and Adult Pre-Baptism. Walden was ordained a Deacon in May 2015, also he was selected to serve as 1st Vice Chair to serve with Chairman Ollie Williams for a period of 5 years. He provided technical support to the Diaconate Ministry and kept in touch with his Caring and Sharing members. Walden joined the February Birthday Ministry and was an active member. He inherited the church visitation team from former Deacon Roosevelt Mosley as the team mission was to visit the sick and shut-in members at their homes, hospitals, and nursing homes bi-weekly until the pandemic began in 2021.
Walden loved studying and learning so much that he took online classes. He encouraged his daughters, grandson, nieces, and nephews to study hard and do their best; and he supported their efforts and extracurricular activities. Some of Walden’s accomplishments included: The
Degree of Master of Arts, Webster College, St. Louis, MO; the Degree Master of Science, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green OH; Computer Programming and Operations from Control Data Institute, Arlington, VA.
Walden enjoyed celebrating family birthdays each year-- cookouts and barbeques on the grill in the backyard. All holidays were celebrated and enjoyed by the family.
Walden joined the Webdot Ministry 22 years ago which was started by Reverend James Barnett and after 10 years Walden was elected president of the ministry church website. Basically, he managed it from home with the support of the team. Walden received great joy and satisfaction working with the web ministry members, the office staff, the church ministries, and the congregation. He was able to demonstrate his expertise by fixing things that were broken, knowing who to call, providing every ministry an email account, helping members sign up for email service and resolving service issues. Walden was constantly venturing into new technology. Nothing was too hard; he enjoyed the challenges because he always found a solution. Walden was patient and accommodating to the needs of the people he served.
Favorite Scripture, Psalms 91:1-16 (KJV), “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty….”
Walden was preceded in death by his parents Isaiah and Sarah Woods, his sister Ethel Mack, and a brother, Isaiah Woods 2nd. Walden leaves behind his devoted wife Patsy Woods, two doting daughters Patricia Mayers (John), Paula Woods; favorite grandson Anthony Woods, a brother John Henry Woods (Margie), Fort Worth, TX; a host of nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Walden was a studious young student attending I.M. Terrell School, Ft. Worth, TX, who excelled in math, science, and chemistry. Walden was encouraged by his high school instructor to accept a 5-year work study scholarship at the Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, AL. Walden graduated from Tuskegee with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. There he pledged and was initiated into the National Society of the Pershing Rifles.
In 1965 during a 6-month training in Denver, CO, Walden met and married the love of his life Patsy Fulbright and there they began their life’s journey of 57 years including a 20-year military career (8 years Air Force and 12 years Navy-Medical Service Corp). Assignments: Turkey, Greece, and several in the United States: Arizona, California, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. His last assignment and retirement ended as a Lieutenant Commander at the Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, where he was a Blood Bank Officer. Walden’s awards included: Air Force Missile Badge; Air Force Longevity Ribbon; Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology, Phoenix AZ; Navy Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; and Blood Banking Fellowship.
Other jobs after retirement in the area were at Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State and part-time at Children’s National Hospital in the Blood Bank laboratory.
Walden and family joined First Baptist Church of Highland Park on April 25, 1982. He made an effort to join many of the classes offered at Highland Park: Walden attended Sunday School which is now the Sunday Biblical Institute. He taught several classes to include the Men’s Discipleship and Adult Pre-Baptism. Walden was ordained a Deacon in May 2015, also he was selected to serve as 1st Vice Chair to serve with Chairman Ollie Williams for a period of 5 years. He provided technical support to the Diaconate Ministry and kept in touch with his Caring and Sharing members. Walden joined the February Birthday Ministry and was an active member. He inherited the church visitation team from former Deacon Roosevelt Mosley as the team mission was to visit the sick and shut-in members at their homes, hospitals, and nursing homes bi-weekly until the pandemic began in 2021.
Walden loved studying and learning so much that he took online classes. He encouraged his daughters, grandson, nieces, and nephews to study hard and do their best; and he supported their efforts and extracurricular activities. Some of Walden’s accomplishments included: The
Degree of Master of Arts, Webster College, St. Louis, MO; the Degree Master of Science, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green OH; Computer Programming and Operations from Control Data Institute, Arlington, VA.
Walden enjoyed celebrating family birthdays each year-- cookouts and barbeques on the grill in the backyard. All holidays were celebrated and enjoyed by the family.
Walden joined the Webdot Ministry 22 years ago which was started by Reverend James Barnett and after 10 years Walden was elected president of the ministry church website. Basically, he managed it from home with the support of the team. Walden received great joy and satisfaction working with the web ministry members, the office staff, the church ministries, and the congregation. He was able to demonstrate his expertise by fixing things that were broken, knowing who to call, providing every ministry an email account, helping members sign up for email service and resolving service issues. Walden was constantly venturing into new technology. Nothing was too hard; he enjoyed the challenges because he always found a solution. Walden was patient and accommodating to the needs of the people he served.
Favorite Scripture, Psalms 91:1-16 (KJV), “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty….”