November 8, 1938 ~ November 4, 2022 (age 83)
David Arthur Wallace was born on November 8th, 1938 in Galveston, Texas to Dorathea Leete Cox and Russell Len Wallace. He passed this life on November 4th 2022 after having gained almost 84 years of rich, well-lived, well-loved, healthy life. He was surrounded by his family, and left this world with dignity. He left the soil of his life well composted for others to benefit. He is preceded in death by his parents, the first love of his life and mother to his children, Susan Lawrence Wallace, his sisters Marjorie Field, Beverly Jones, Woodie Remmers, Paula Pokladnic, Dorothea Smith, Theresa Whalen, and his brother Donald Wallace.
David is survived by his dear wife Vickie McCarley Wallace, his son Lamar Len Wallace and wife Sarah, his daughter Tennessee Rue Wallace Love, and husband Bruce, his daughter RhoAnn Letrice Wallace Real and husband Galo, his stepson Forrest Royder, IV, his stepdaughter Carley and husband Drew Freeman, his grandchildren, Gabriel Wallace Love, Grace Anne Love, Max Wallace, William Wallace, Aster Kathleen Real, Diem Sebastian Real, Luna Camilla Real, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
David graduated LaMarque High School in 1957. David graduated from Lamar Tech University with a degree in Economics in 1962. He enlisted in the Air Force and honorably served his country from 1963 to 1967 in Korea as an Air Traffic Controller where he increased his love for Aviation. He was an exceptional pilot and aviator. He purchased, refurbished, and flew many airplanes and expanded his family’s vacation reach with trips in a 1947 Bellanca Cruisar. He and his son Lamar built (and flew) a RV8 Experimental airplane which he continued to fly into his 80’s.
He appreciated and dearly loved this life where he grew a family, business, friendships, and was blessed with happy marriages. He was a tremendous provider for his family. He was a gentle spirit, yet he was a fierce defender of the underdog. He was a prolific writer of Thank You notes, and often called the pressured civil servant to thank them for the project that many noticed, but few thanked. He had a life long, proven track record of public service. He was exceptionally proud of the work that he and Roddy Willis did in setting up the Alexander and Mary Greentree Trust that benefitted and supported the Nacogdoches Public Library and the Nacogdoches Treatment Facility. Dave and Roddy’s (40) years of pro-bono work and professional management helped the Trust to grow, enabling the donation of $3,100,000 to these entities.
David was a life long Rotarian. He served the Nacogdoches Chapter as President and District Governor. David earned and was awarded (5) Paul Harris Fellowship Awards. By any Rotarian measure, that’s a lot. He served Rotary District 5910 for (33) straight years on the Youth Exchange Committee. He hosted and mentored numerous exchange students and ensured that his children had the benefit of being Rotarian Exchange Students to experience life outside of East Texas.
He worked as a financial manager and stockbroker for Pines Securities which later became Southwest Securities. He helped countless clients manage and grow their money. By taking care of his clients best interest, he became a remarkable provider for his own family. He was sage, professional, and honest beyond reproach. He was a man you could count on, for which many did just that.
We would like to say that David was a lover of running. He ran (3) miles a day several times a week into his 80’s. He paired that back only when the disks in his neck could no longer bear the weight of his will. He annoyed many while effortlessly talking and laughing with his running partners who were usually out of breath and suffering while he glided nearby. Dave loved flowers and could name just about any tree or flower or plant that he was quizzed on by people who pecked at his knowledge. The joy of his life was reserved for poems and birding. With birding he could just about name any bird that flew. His ears were sharp for sounds and catcalls and he pursued and cultivated his knowledge of birds fully through his life.
Each Thanksgiving and Christmas celebration would have reserved time for a fine Poem with a follow up story on the Poems meaning and lesson for life, fully explained by David. In the final hours of his life, his family found the book of poems that he treasured that he asked to be read at his service. It contained over 200 gems and lessons for life. Not all will be read at his service.
David lived more than his near 84 years. He loved, loved his family as well as his friends. He served loyally, honorably, and was a fine man. He never left a conversation with his family where they were not assured of his love for them. He often sacrificed for them, providing his unmeasured, unwavering love, fully to their benefit. He had an infectious smile, and displayed it generously, everyday. With Dave’s passing, we have lost our leader and patriarch, our eternal kind optimist. He will be sorely missed.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday the 11th of November from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Laird Funeral Home at 2116 South St, Nacogdoches, TX. The celebration David’s life will be on November 12th at 2:00PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 903 North St. in Nacogdoches, TX. The Reverend Kallie Pitcock and Deacon Wanda Cuniff officiating. In lieu of flowers, David would appreciate your support and donation to The Friends of the Nacogdoches Public Library at 1112 North Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961.
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