Dan Eugene “Danny” Walden died surrounded by family at Wesley Medical Center on June 12 2026. Dan was born on the 9th of January, 1952 in De Queen, Arkansas. He was the son of Gene and Shirley Walden, the third youngest of four siblings including Sue Jones, Diane Walden, and Cindy Robinson. Dan grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, where he was a multisport athlete at Shawnee Mission East High School, running track and playing football, as well as serving as class President. Growing up he enjoyed watching movies and attending Kansas City Athletics games.

Dan attended Baker University and the University of Missouri Kansas City before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1972, serving as a Military Policeman where he was deployed for several years to Osan Air Base, South Korea. After being honorably discharged from service, Dan became the father to two daughters Cherie Cell, and Beth Miller. Dan completed his education graduating from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

He spent nearly his entire working life as a public servant. Following graduation from the University of Kansas he worked as a History teacher at Robinson Middle School in Topeka, Kansas. He then worked as a network administrator for the Red Cross of Kansas City, then moving to Wichita, Kansas where he was a behavioral specialist for individuals with intellectual disabilities for Pennington’s Residential Homes, then Steps, and Starkey where he worked as a Case Manager. His later roles were for companies and agencies like the Wichita Children’s Home and COMCARE through Sedgwick County, where he retired in 2018.

Dan married Dana (Newton) Walden in 1992. In 1996 Dan and Dana welcomed their son Drake into the world, followed by Drew in 1999. Dan was a man who was fond of movies, a national bar trivia champion, a lifelong public servant, a friend, son, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He led a life of love, sacrifice, dedication, and humility. Always finding the humor even in the darkest moments. 

He is survived by his wife Dana, daughters Beth and Cherie, sons Drake and Drew, sister Cindy, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 19th at Kechi United Methodist Church, 4533 E. 61st St N., Kechi, Kansas 67067. Graveside following at the Kechi Township Cemetery, 6523 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219.

Baker Funeral Home Valley Center - Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.