Graveside services for 42-year-old Benjamin Walden, of Hopkinsville, will be 11 AM Friday at Peaceful Meadows Cemetery in Hopkinsville.
Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Thursday at Maddux-Fuqua-Hinton Funeral Home.
Survivors include:
His wife, Michelle;
Son, Andrew;
Father, James Walden;
Sister, Lori Walden;
Brother, Bart (Kristal) Walden;
Mother-in-law, Melody Riggs;
Sisters-in-law, Becky Riggs, and Patty (Brandon) Kastl;
Nieces, April Walden, Ashley Walden, Bailey Klaproth, and Sydney Kastl;
And nephews, Aaron Klaproth and Oliver Kastl.
He died March 19, 2024, at home after an 18-month battle with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma.
He fought valiantly during his illness in the hopes of being able to have more time to love and cherish his wife of 21 years, and continue to love and raise his son.
While he may have lost the battle with cancer, he gained eternal life in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He believed that if he and his family’s testimony through this process led one person to Christ, then all of the pain and suffering were worth it. This life is temporary, but a life in Christ is eternal.
He was born July 3, 1981, in Milan, Tennessee to James and Judy Walden. He was an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America program. He was a 1999 graduate of Marshall County High School and a 2002 graduate of Murray State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Graphics and Design, Mechanical Design.
He married Riggs July 13, 2002, and the bond and love they share will last for eternity. The two made God the center of their relationship and were committed to one another.
Their son was born January 4, 2008, and completed the family who lovingly called themselves The Three Musketeers. They were all for one and one for all, even to the very end.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy. The reunion in heaven between these two is one that we know was glorious. Ben had a special bond with his mom and missed her every day since her passing in 2018.
His grandparents, Clarence and Helen Castlemon and Leon Green and Audie Mae Walden, as well as his father-in-law, Les Riggs, preceded him in death.
He was employed at Trane Technologies as a design manager. In the 19 years he worked at Trane, he always had a passion for his profession and the people he worked with. He loved what he did and mourned not being able to fulfill his role in his final days. While he loved the work, he loved the people more. He was always interested in helping them grow and become the best versions of themselves as employees. He cared about them not only as professionals but also as people and was quick to help when any member of his team hit a rough patch, whether personally or professionally. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the care, compassion, and support the Trane family has shown during his illness.
He was a member of Edgewood Baptist Church. He was an ordained deacon and had the privilege of baptizing his son. This, to him, was one of the highlights of his life. He also served many years on the praise and worship team playing the bass guitar and led Wednesday night bible studies.
In 2020, he helped establish the archery program at CCMS and CCHS. Archery was his son’s sport of choice and in typical father fashion, he stepped up to coach the team. Ben served as the head coach of the CCMS and CCHS Archery team from 2020 – 2022, when he had to step down due to his illness. Archery was a passion for both Ben and Andrew and the two often competed together in buddy shoots through the Christian County 4-H program.
Finally, the family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the Vanderbilt Health Oncology team, specifically Dr. Katy Beckermann and Dr. Dakim Gaines. Through their work and collaboration, we have no doubt that Ben was able to have more time with us here, and for that, we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to The Christian County High School Archery Program, 200 Glass Ave, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.