Byron Frederick Golden

ABILENE -- Byron Golden, 77, passed away Friday, March 22, 2013, in Abilene. Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday in White's Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Interment: Clark Cemetery. Visitation: 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Byron Frederick Golden was born June 3, 1935, on Greenwood Road in Weatherford, son of the late Hugh F. Golden Sr. and Ida Golden. He was the middle son, with two older brothers and two younger sisters. Byron attended Travis and Bowie Elementary schools, Weatherford Junior High and then their family moved to Lockney where he completed his high school education. After graduation the family moved back to Weatherford and he attended Weatherford College until he joined the U.S. Navy. Byron served on the USS Rochester, USS St. Paul and the USS General Hugh Gaffney. He was assigned to the Intelligence Division and had top secret clearance. Byron was with CINCPACFLT, CINPAC, FICPAC and the Naval Aviation School. He served three tours in the Vietnam war and was awarded seven medals, the highest being the Bronze Star. Byron married Elva Carcelle Tackett and adopted her daughter, Derenda, and then they had one son, Patrick Wayne Golden. Upon discharge, he went into civil service and worked at Warner Robbins Air Force Base as a Management Analyst, U.S. Army Helicopter Training Center at Ft. Wolters in Mineral Wells. Also as a Management Analyst and William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso as an EEO Officer. Byron finished up at U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as an Emergency Operations Specialist. He was presented the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for Operations in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort. Byron retired Sept. 30, 1990, in Atlanta, Ga., and he and his wife returned to Weatherford. He enjoyed serving on the Weatherford Volunteer Police Force for awhile until his wife's health issues made it necessary for him to stay closer to home with her. She preceded him in death in 2005. Later on, he renewed an old acquaintance with Evelyn Sears Walls in Abilene and they soon decided to marry, and he moved to Abilene with her. They had many good years and enjoyed traveling and working on their home together. Byron was preceded in death by his first wife, Carcelle Tacket Golden; a sister, Virginia Grable; and his parents. Survivors: Wife, Mary Golden of Abilene; son, Patrick Golden of Dallas; daughter, Derenda White Woodard of Douglasville, Ga.; two brothers, Hugh Jr. of Lewisville and Charles and wife, Earlene, of Menard; a sister, Joyce, and husband, Joel Don Addison, of Willow Park; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of loving friends.White's Funeral HomeWeatherford, 817-596-4811