Jack R. Walden

He was born December 1, 1942, in Jellico, Tennessee, to parents George L. and Mabel J. (Douglas) Walden. Jack’s family moved to Cleveland when he was 12 years old, and he graduated from Collinwood High School. While in school he met his beloved sweetheart, Marci Bogel, and the young couple eloped back to Jellico to get married on October 23, 1961.

Jack was a hard worker. He started working for the Ford Motor Company Walton Hills Stamping Plant and retired as a tool and die maker. However, constant layoffs, lead him to pursue another career in law enforcement. Jack graduated from the Cleveland State University Police Academy, as well as the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, and the Ohio BCI Training Academy. His law enforcement career began in Cleveland as a CMHA Police Officer and later became a member of the Portage County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as a Deputy, Detective, SWAT officer, and Drug Task Force Officer, teaching and mentoring many current officers along the way.

God and guns were also a large part of his life. Jack was a member of the Church of God Mountain Assembly in Jellico, TN. He was also an active supporter of Christian Global Outreach Ministries and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. He was a 32nd Degree Free Mason with Charity Lodge 530, and became an ordained minister in his later years. Jack was a lifetime member of the NRA, a CCW Instructor, and an avid hunter.

Above all, Jack loved his family. He is survived by his wife Marci Walden, sons: Jack (Lori) Walden and Randy Walden, daughter: Andrea (David) Ealba, grandchildren: Jack Ryan (Fallyn) Walden, Zachary Walden, Shonna (Walden) Watson, Brandi (Nick) Zaczyk, his great-grandchildren: Braedyn Walden, Connor Watson, Caleb Zaczyk, Brooklyne Walden, and Riley Zaczyk. He is also survived by his brothers: Eddie Joe Walden, Roger (Lottie) Walden, and George “Larry” (Georgene) Walden Jr., along with his Godchild Susan (McElroy) Griffith, many loving cousins, in-laws, generations of nieces and nephews, and his best friend and canine companion “Max.” Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gary Walden.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and Friday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E Main St., Ravenna, where funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Jay Walden on Friday at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at West Cemetery in Palmyra. All guests must wear a mask and practice social distancing. If you are unable to attend, his funeral service will be livestreamed on Jack’s obituary page at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com, where condolences and memories may also be shared with his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.