Walden Magers

Walden Magers, age 102, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Nixa, Missouri. He was born on October 2, 1914 in the small town of Ponce De Leon "Poncie", to Sid and Maude Magers. Walden graduated from Spokane High School in 1932, going on to earn his B.S. in Education from Southwest Missouri State in 1951 and a Master's Degree from Drury College in 1956. His father played a very significant part in his life teaching him how to hunt and fish. He became an excellent marksman and continued both of these hobbies throughout his entire life. He met his future wife, Pearl Cloud, in that same small town, Poncie. They were married in September 4, 1940 and remained so until her death in 2008. Both of them spent their lives teaching. Walden began his career teaching one year in Poncie followed by two years at Flood's School. Next came his long tenure at Spokane of 19 years, even serving as Superintendent of Schools. When he finished that part of his career, he taught for 15 more years spending time at both Hillcrest and the (new) high school at the time, Kickapoo. In 1979 he retired from teaching. Throughout Walden's life two additional things filled his time and devotion. He and Pearl had moved to Nixa in 1950 and built a home. They became very active members of the First Baptist Church of Nixa, where Walden was ordained as a Deacon in 1959. He also sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class. He loved to study the Bible and did so his entire life. Later in life they moved their church membership to South Gate Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Every year there was one thing his neighbors could always count on from Walden. He planted an enormous garden with several kinds of vegetables to share with everyone. Walden and Pearl lived a long, happy life, visiting most of the United States and other countries. They were able to visit the Holy Land and would have gladly gone again if life and time had allowed. Survivors include son, Kenney and wife Julie, Springfield, grandchildren, Nicole of Westminster, Colorado and Christian of Sacramento, California; son Bobby and wife Bette, Orlando, Florida, grandchildren, Kimberly and Michael of Orlando, Florida, and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 1, at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, Missouri. Interment will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Missouri beside his loving wife. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM Tuesday until service time in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to Regional Hospice, 3405 W. Mt Vernon, Ste 100, Springfield, MO 65802.