Herman Virden

Herman Ray Virden was born January 10, 1927 to Naomi Duke Virden and Rube Virden on the Byler Ranch in Ballinger, Texas. Herman attended and graduated from Ballinger schools. While attending school, Herman met the love of his life, Beaunita Tappee. Herman and Beaunita married February 26, 1945. Herman served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Following his military service, Herman returned to his cowboy life in Ballinger in 1946. In 1947, Beaunita and Herman were blessed with the birth of their son, Tony. Herman was a master with a rope. After training horses, buying and selling cattle by day, Herman would load his horse and head to a rodeo to compete in tie-down calf roping, and drive most of the night to return home by the next day. With his roping winnings, he would first buy a case of milk because he wanted to make sure Tony always had enough to eat. As soon as Tony was old enough to hold a rope, Tony followed in his dad’s footsteps as a roper. Herman never boasted about his personal roping talents, or those of his son. However, he had a difficult time hiding his pride when Tony made a good run.
Through the marriage of Tony & Wanda Weatherby, Beaunita & Herman found another level of love in 1970 with the birth of their first grandson, Toby Virden. Toby was the apple of their eye and could certainly do no wrong, as far as they were concerned. Then along came Todd Virden in 1974, another bundle of love, toting a rope. Todd carried on with that winning roping tradition. As the saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” And those two “apples” thought their Papaw was some kind of all right! Toby & Todd learned a great deal from their Papaw. The agricultural roots that Herman planted will continue to grow through the lives of Herman’s family.
One of his favorite sayings was: “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.”
Herman Virden passed away Monday, October 17, 2017 in Ballinger Memorial Hospital.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Beaunita. He is survived by his son Tony and his wife Wanda, his grandson Toby and his wife Tammie Virden; Todd Virden and his dear friend Vicki Arthur; his great grandson Caleb Virden, wife Kaitlin and great- great grandson Joshua; his great-grandson Corey Virden and great-great granddaughter Presley; great granddaughter Caitlin and great grandsons Dryden and Rainen Virden.
He is also survived by his sister Peggy Sharp, his brother Robert Virden, numerous nieces and nephews, along with many dear friends and relatives.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway in Ballinger.
Funeral services for Herman Virden will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church of Ballinger. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Services are under direction of Lange Funeral Home. Guests may register online at ballingerfuneralhome.com.
Happy trails to you Herman “Papaw” Virden…until we meet again.