Japheth David Walden

Japheth David (J.D.) Walden, Shawnee, Kansas, died March 6, 2012, at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

J.D. was born May 29, 1918, at Haddam, Kansas, the youngest of eight children. He and Martha V. Armstrong were married December 21, 1947, at Sabetha, Kansas. He graduated from Emporia State University with bachelor and master degrees in education and administration. He was inducted into two honorary fraternities, education and mathematics.

J.D. was principal of the Nieman Elementary School from 1954-1975. The library at Nieman School is named the J.D. Walden Library in his honor. He retired from the Shawnee Mission Schools in 1978, after a total of twenty-four years in the school system. He and his wife, after retiring, operated Walden Antiques, participating only in antique shows.

He was a member of Johnson County Retired Teachers-past president; Shawnee Historical Society-past president; Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society-past president; Kansas State Historical Society-life member; National Education Association-life member; and the Kansas National Education Association-life member. J.D. joined the Shawnee United Methodist Church in 1955 and served several years in various committee assignments.

He is survived by his wife, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:00 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at the chapel. Graveside service will be 1:30 p.m., Friday at the Centralia Cemetery, Centralia, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kansas 66203.