Jim Warden was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on September 2, 1946 to E.L. and Fern Warden. He grew up in Henryetta and graduated from Henryetta High School in 1964. Jim played football for Eastern State College at Wilburton. He then went to Northeastern State College, where he played center his junior year. In the summer of 1967, Jim met the love of his life Mary Gastaldo. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in math education, Jim enlisted in the Air Force and proposed to Mary. He entered officer’s candidate school and after graduating in February of 1969, Jim and Mary were married. In the Air Force, Jim entered navigator school and graduated second in his class.
While serving as a navigator in the F4 Phantom in Vietnam, Jim flew more than 160 missions and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eleven Air Medals. Jim’s time in the service ended in 1973, where upon he returned to Henryetta to partner with his father in his bridge construction company. Jim and Mary later opened a restaurant in 1977 that operated as a fixture on mainstreet until it closed in 1989. In that time, Jim completed a Master’s degree in Education, served as Mayor of Henryetta and was selected as Henryettan of the year in 1982.
Jim found his calling in returning to teaching. Jim taught high school math and eventually became Principal and then Superintendent for Wilson, Waurika, and Pocola Public Schools systems. Jim retired from education in December of 2008.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Fern Warden.
Survived by
His wife Mary Warden of the Home
Daughter: Lee Ann Warden of Henryetta
Sons: James Christopher Warden of Dallas, TX
Jonathan Paul Warden and wife Stacy of Broken Arrow
Grandsons: Jacob Tyler and Marcus Santino Warden
Brother: Dr. David Warden and wife Cathy of Henryetta
Many nieces and nephews
Services are set for 2:00pm, Friday, November 6, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Henryetta, Ok with Rev. Jim Paslay, officiating. Interment will follow at the Westlawn Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Services are under the direction of the Rogers Funeral Home.