Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on December 28, 2012

Thomas Walden
Thomas Joseph Walden Sr., known as "T" by his grandsons, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, after a brief illness. Tom was a native Houstonian and a graduate of Texas A&M University. After graduating in 1971, he returned to Houston to begin a career in banking and later in the insurance industry. He was one of the founders of Insurance Alliance, where he served as Senior Vice President. He was active in numerous insurance advisory councils, boards of directors and committees. Tom had a passion for history, specifically, World War I/II aviation and was a collector of rare aviation memorabilia, Texas history, and other military campaigns. He was an avid cyclist and runner, qualifying and completing the Boston Marathon twice. He spent many years teaching Sunday school and mentoring young people in their faith. Most of all, he was passionate about his children and his three precious grandsons. After Tom's daughter and son-in-law moved to Washington, D.C., he began planning "T's Tours" around the D.C. museums and historical sites for his grandsons. Tom was born on August 27, 1948 to Tom and Melba Walden in Houston, Texas. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved children, Emily Walden Pedersen and husband, Luke, Thomas Joseph Walden Jr., and their mother Donna Rudd Walden; grandchildren Asher Kristian, Connor Luke, and Blake Thomas Pedersen; cousin Judy Walden Stipp and husband Louis; other family members and many good friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project or St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.