OBITUARY James Vance “Jim” Wallace Jr. July 22, 1920 – December 16, 2018 It is with great sadness that the family of James Vance (Jim) Wallace, Jr. announces the passing to his eternal home after a short illness on Sunday, December 16th 2018, at the age of 98 years. Jim was born in San Antonio, TX, July 22, 1920 and will be lovingly remembered by his friends in Bryan and College Station and his family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Imogene Ferrel Dunlap of San Antonio, TX.
Jim graduated from Harlandale HS and attended San Antonio College before joining the Army Air Corps and going through pilot training in 1940. After completing his flight training and getting his wings, Jim became a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. He served as a pilot trainer until being shipped overseas to enter the war effort.
Jim was a B-24 pilot and flew 19 missions over northern Italy and Berlin, Germany. After the war, Jim returned to civilian life and worked as a machinist in the repair facility at Kelly AFB in San Antonio. He built a home in Floresville and tried part-time farming and raising livestock.
This became too much work while working full time at Kelly so he moved his family back to San Antonio. He advanced to a position as the manager of the mechanical calibration lab at Kelly. He was awarded two patents for his development of mechanical tooling.
After 35 years at Kelly, he retired and served his community by holding a free fix-it shop at his home for retirees that had small appliances needing repair. Jim assisted his sons with projects as needed which included building a swimming pool and home construction. Jim and his wife for 63 years Gene spent 4 years full time RVing before settling in College Station.
He worked at the College Station Med as a volunteer until 2014 when he suffered a stroke. He relocated to his current residence at the Isle at Watercrest in Bryan. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Vance Wallace, Sr. and Violet Oldham, wife Imogene “Gene” Ferrel Dunlap, brother James “J.O.”Oldham Wallace, half-sister Sylvia Alsbury, son Michael Lang Wallace, son Gary Bruce Wallace, and grandson Paul Yates.
He is survived by his brother Carter Lang Wallace of Comfort, children James P. “Pat” Wallace of College Station, Gail Fay Wallace of College Station, and her twin Dale Ray Wallace (Donna) of Carrollton; 7 grandchildren: Kimberly, Jennifer, Kristen (Wade), David, Lauren (Kevin), Clint (Naomi), Joshua (Hirono); and 11 great grandchildren: Amber, Zoe, Autumn, Cody, Emily, Carissa, Xavier, Cailey, Ethan, Stella, Jace; 4 nieces and 2 nephews. Visitation will be at Memorial Funeral Chapel at 2901 Texas Ave. South, College Station on Wednesday December 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
Services will be held at Parkway Baptist Church at 1501 Southwest Pkwy, College Station by Rev. Chris Snidow beginning 11:00 a.m. on December 20th. Interment will be immediately following the service at Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries Dominion at 20900 IH10 West, San Antonio, TX.
Memorial donations in memory of Jim can be made to Parkway Baptist Church or Hospice Brazos Valley.
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