Benton Thomas (Tommy) Walden, Jr.

Benton Thomas (Tommy) Walden, Jr. was called home to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 11 ^th at his home in the presence of his loving family.

Tommy was born in Ft. Worth, TX on January 24, 1940, to Benton and Dorothy Mae Walden. Later, as a teenager he experienced a spiritual birth when he placed his faith in Christ to be his Savior while privately watching Billy Graham on television in his home. This one decision became the pivotal point for direction for his entire life.

Tommy attended Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, TX. and Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduating Tommy attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and Trinity College of Florida graduating with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education.

In 1964 he married Carolyn Sue Doyle of Tampa, Florida. The Waldens were married for over 53 years. Tommy pastored three churches in Texas: Sherry Baptist Church of Clarksville, TX, First Baptist Church, Blanco, TX, and First Baptist Church of Thorndale, TX. He also served as a field representative for the film division of The Billy Graham Evangelistic Ministry. In 1975 Tommy was called to be the Associate Pastor of Abilene Bible Church and served as well as the producer of the church’s radio program. In 1980 Tommy founded “Overflow Ministries”, that became the parent organization of both The Discovery Center Creation Museum and Discovery Bible Church.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two sons, Craig Thomas Walden and wife Carrie, of Wichita Falls, TX, and Jeremy Jon Walden and wife Michelle, of Pflugerville, TX. as well as his brother, David Walden and wife Kathy, of San Antonio, TX; and two grandchildren, Justen Kyle Walden, currently deployed, US Navy, and Jaycee Ann Walden, student UT, Dallas, as well as a multitude of friends.

Tommy was interred last week at Buffalo Gap Cemetery, Buffalo Gap, Texas at a private family service.

A Memorial Celebration will be held in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. in Abilene on Saturday, January 20 at 2:00 p.m . Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorial gifts be donated to The Discovery Center, P. O. Box 123, Abilene, TX 79604. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.