Submitted by: Sue Bearden
Howard West “Sonny” Golden was born July 19, 1916, in the family home near
Clifton, Texas, at the foot of what was called the “Golden Mountains,” to
Robert Lee Golden and Maud (West) Golden. He was the 9th of 10 children
born into this family.
Howard passed away October 16, 2005, in Waco, Texas, at the Regent Care
Center of Woodway, at the age of 89 years, 2 months, 27 days.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Bessie Olson, Etta
Lou Dahl and Maudine Golden; six brothers, Archie, Paul, Leo, Carroll, Ben
and Ray Golden; and son-in-law, Donald Bearden.
He is survived by one daughter, Sue Bearden of Lorena, Texas; one son, Bobby
George Golden and hiis wife, Karon, of Groesbeck, Texas; one granddaughter,
Sherri Hutcheon and her husband Jeff, of Castle Rock, Colorado; and one
great-granddaughter, Lindsey LaDon Hutcheon; also, ex-wife, Bama “Reecie”
Golden, and one sister-in-law, Ruby Golden.
He attended Clifton and Valley Mills schools.
As a young boy, he was baptized into the Church of Christ. In 1952, he was
baptized into the First Baptist Church at Clifton, Texas, where he remained
a member until his death.
He loved his Lord, family, country and Bob Wills music and enjoyed playing
bingo and 42 when he wasn’t watching a rodeo on TV. He was particularly
proud of his great-granddaughter, Lindsey, as a day neer went by in his life
that he didn’t mention her to anyone who would listen.
He was a rancher and carpenter, also working as a guard at the Gatesville
Reformatory and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad during World War II,
transporting soldiers. He loved ranching and touring with the rodeo
circuit, participating in calf roping events and cutting horse contests. He
also trained cutting horses.
He and his wife, “Reecie”, owned a ranch at Cranfills Gap, Texas, for many
years before selling it and purchasing a hardware store in Clifton, which
they operated for several years.
“Sonny” continued living in Clifton, until his health deteriorated and he
moved to Waco, where he lived out his life in Assisted Living facilities.
Funeral service is held at the Clifton Funeral Home, Clifton, Texas, at
10:00 A.M., Wednesday, October 19, 2005, with Reverend Jeff Hutcheon
officiating and music by Charlyn Stacey.
Pallbears are: Bobbie Bearden and nephews Milton Glenn Dahl, Bobby Chris
Dahl, David Golden, Jerry Wayne Golden and Scott Greenbauer.
Interment is at the Stanford Chapel Cemetery on Chapel Road, Hewitt, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Hewitt, Texas, First
Baptist Church, Groesbeck, Texas, or First Baptist Church, Clifton, Texas.