James Wayne "Jimmy" Carden's Obituary
James Wayne (Jimmy) Carden was born on September 29, 1946 in Knox City, Texas to James & Albina (Masiarz) Carden. He died peacefully on November 25, 2023 on Maui, HI after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Jimmy grew up in Munday, Texas and graduated from Munday High School in 1965. He attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls before enlisting in the army during the Vietnam War. He proudly served the US Army. He was an instructor at an ordinance school in Aberdeen, MD before serving in Vietnam for one year (1968) as a helicopter gunner in the 7th Squadron, 17th Air Calvary Regiment. After an honorable discharge, he served on the Selective Service Draft Board for 25 years. Jimmy was a lifetime resident of Munday and enjoyed serving the community as a licensed HVAC Technician and Electrician. He and his father would often work evenings and weekends to keep the people of Knox County comfortable during extreme temperatures. For several years, Jim volunteered on the Knox County Ambulance service as an Emergency Medical Responder.
Jimmy married Della Jean (Jeanie) Tynes in 1970, they were married for 28 years. Anyone that knew Jimmy knew that his pride and joy was his daughter, Jennifer. Most recently, he lit up talking about Jennifer and her husband, Caleb, and his granddaughters, Cooper (5) & Jade (3). They always put a twinkle in his eye! He spent the last 2.5 years of his life in Maui, HI to be close to Jennifer and her family.
Jimmy was an avid learner with an open mind and quick wit. He was a man of many hobbies - passionate about each one. Rattlesnake hunting was one of his favorite activities; he also enjoyed flying sport kites, rebuilding cars, collecting guns, weightlifting, motor cross, photography, throwing boomerangs and gardening. Whether jet skiing at sunrise, chasing lightening storms to photograph or setting up his telescope to star gaze- Jimmy enjoyed life. He was often seen with a smile on his face and a toothpick in his mouth.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, James Carden & Albina Carden and his sister, Maryann Stewart. He is survived by his daughter: Jennifer, Son-in-Law: Caleb, Granddaughters: Cooper & Jade Findlay – all of Lahaina, HI, Brother-in-Law: Jackie Stewart of Hale Center, TX, Nephew: Tye Stewart of Lubbock, TX, along with a host of cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 131 Main Street in Munday, Texas at from 1pm-3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Keep Munday Beautiful”.
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