Wayne Lindahl

Wayne D. Lindahl passed away peacefully at his home in Cleburne, Texas on Sunday, October 27, 2019 to take his final residence with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was born in a Wyoming oilfield camp near Oshkosh, Nebraska but spent much of his youth in Texas and Oklahoma.  He graduated from Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma, and then enlisted in the Navy at age 17 in June of 1943 where he served as yeoman and volunteered to serve on the USS California battleship in the CR Division as a radio operator.  The California was the flag ship of the Pacific fleet and saw extensive combat during his time aboard and he visited many foreign lands.  After completing his wartime service, Wayne returned to Norman and entered the Business School at the University of Oklahoma and completed his BBA degree in Traffic Management in 1956.  He was an avid sports fan and “loud and proud” OU supporter and alumni member and loved his Boomer Sooners.

Wayne married Velma “Joyce” Houdman on May 31st, 1953 in Oklahoma City and raised a family together until her early passing in November of 1990.  They moved to the DFW area of Texas in 1964 and settled in Arlington in 1971, where they remained until Joyce’s passing.  Wayne’s career focused on freight and inventory management and he spent his final 18 work years with Dresser Industries at their Guiberson Oil Tool division in Dallas and retired in the summer of 1991.  He was well traveled over the next many years and resided in the states of Arizona, Nevada and Colorado, and held residences in other Texas cities that included San Antonio, Austin, Bastrop and then his final home in Cleburne.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents Hattie A. McNamar Lindahl and Harry S. Lindahl, his brother and his wife, Eugene E. Lindahl and Frieda Grant Lindahl, and one daughter, Rebecca Kay Lindahl.  He is survived by his loving family that includes two daughters and two sons and their families, Deborah and Eugen Brooks, Vickie and Casey Kirkpatrick, Donald and Lynda Lindahl, and Alan and LeAnn Lindahl, eight grandchildren – Zac Lindahl, John Brooks, Jenica Brooks, Cheri Maley, Cameron Day, Chance Day, Carissa Day, and Garrett Gill, and eight beautiful great-grandchildren.

Wayne was a lifelong Christian and a well loved member of Open Door Church in Burleson, Texas, and was proud of his Christian heritage as both of his grandfathers founded new churches in Iowa.  He loved sharing his life’s stories and faith with his many friends, family, church family and acquaintances old and new, and was known for his positive attitude and quips, like “Don’t despair and save your hair”.  He was also very proud of his naval service and was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion and could always be found with his Navy cap and ready to share his many stories and experiences, especially with other veterans.

Wayne’s mental and physical longevity were supported by him always staying active and positive.  He loved to read the newspaper, walked almost daily for many years, watched his diet, didn’t drink or smoke, and he loved playing the lottery and would spend hours crunching numbers for the winning combination but “it kept his mind sharp.”

The following services will be held in his honor:

Friday, November 1st, 6 - 8 PM - Visitation
Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd., Kennedale, Texas 76060

Saturday, November 2nd, 1 PM memorial service:
Open Door Church, 301 S. Dobson Rd., Burleson, Texas 76028

Followed by a grave side service at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, Kennedale, Texas

Donations can be made in Wayne’s name to Open Door Church – 412 Kids (Children’s Ministry), Burleson American Legion Post 235, or the Cleburne VFW:

https://www.opendoorexperience.com/giving - online form, go to Offering and note 412 Kids Ministry
Burleson American Legion Post 235 PO Box 27 Burleson TX 76097
Cleburne VFW Post 12152: www.paypal.me/cleburnevfw