Curtis J. Walden

Born July 25, 1921 in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of Rev. T.C. Walden and Jennie Burnette Walden. After graduating from Woodlawn High School, he attended Howard College (now Samford University). However, duty called and Curt left college to attend flight school. His eyesight kept him from becoming a pilot, but he achieved success as a celestial navigator during WWII. He flew numerous missions across the Pacific, plotting flight plans according to the stars. Stationed at Hamilton Field just north of San Francisco, his bride, Dottie, awaited each return. After the war, Curt and Dottie returned to the south and he graduated from Ole Miss (University of Mississippi) under the G.I. bill. Later, he answered the call again, serving his country during the Korean conflict.

Curt's primary career was with Sears, Roebuck and Company. Beginning in sales in Memphis, Tennessee, he moved into management. The family moved from Memphis to Brunswick, Georgia, and finally to Charlotte, NC. After retirement from Sears, he maintained a showroom at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart. He combined work with pleasure as a manufacturer's representative, travelling with Dottie around the southeast.

Throughout it all, Curt's favorite pastime was tennis. He was an active member of Olde Providence Racquet Club and served on their board of directors. That Birmingham teenager who was Alabama State Doubles Champion in 1939, went on to win tournaments as a North Carolina senior player in both singles and doubles. Curt put his racket down shortly before his 90th birthday.

Curt was known to his family as "Daddy Curt", and, as the patriarch, he was fiercely proud of his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Ever interested in their accomplishments in sports and academics, he loved hearing about their activities when he could no longer attend in person.

Curt was preceded in death by his three siblings (George Walden, Jack Walden, and Willie Merle Crotwell), as well as his devoted wife of 58 years, Dottie.

He is survived by his daughter, Candy Walden Hambacher (Jim) and his son, Curtis Jae Walden (June); four grandchildren, Amy Bynum (Gordon), Brian Field (Ali), Casey Field, (Lindsey) and Gardner Walden (Erica); and four great-grandchildren, Caroline and Louisa Bynum and Anna and Charlie Field.

A graveside service with military honors to celebrate the life of our "Daddy Curt" will be held on Monday, November 13 at 12 noon at Sharon Memorial Park.

The family wishes to acknowledge the dear friendship of Ethel Bryant and the care and kindness shown to Curt at the Brookdale Carriage Club. His red scooter will still be seen on the campus there, as it has been gifted to a close friend.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider his church, Trinity Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC.