Lakewood, WA – Air Force CMSGT John Mortimer Wallace, born April 11, 1932, passed away peacefully August 4, 2022, following a 14+ year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
John was born in Limerick, Maine, to Loretto A. Wallace and Foster S. Wallace. His greatest joy was his wife; along with his family; and his dog, Major, (now deceased).
He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952, upon graduation from high school; married his high school sweetheart, Sheila Ryan,(October 16,1954); and after thirty years’ military service, retired from the Air Force. Following retirement John worked general construction (4 years), worked for Boeing (10 years) and for St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Lakewood, WA,(10 years), as Groundskeeper and Maintenance Supervisor. John’s love of gardening led to his becoming a Master Gardener. He devoted many volunteer hours at the Military Base Exchange, McChord AFB, advising customers on plant problems. An extremely generous man, he would frequently give away his hat, shirt, or sweater to anyone who complimented him on it. He loved to bake bread and give it away to family, friends, and neighbors and to quietly buy dinner for some young family in a restaurant.
In the 1970’s, John joined the Charismatic renewal, and renewed his Faith, asking the Holy Spirit into his heart, which changed his life and impacted many others. He became a Prayer Group leader in both Illinois and later, WA; and when he moved to WA, became a member of the board,(later President of the Board), of Western WA Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He became active in the Knights of Columbus at St. John Bosco, his home parish. During his time with the Knights, John and his family were selected K of C Family of the Year and were chosen Second Runner-Up as International Family of the Year. He was elected to be a Knights’ State Officer and worked through twelve years of officer ranks, becoming State Deputy in 2009. He received many awards for his work with the Knights and he became known for his sense of humor and his motto: “Get ‘er done!”
During his military career, John was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and numerous other Air Medals, for service and valor.
John is predeceased by his daughter, Deborah Jean (Debbie) Wallace, and great-granddaughter Gretchen Clary. He leaves his wife of nearly sixty-eight years, Sheila (Ryan) Wallace; daughters Cheryl Kunkle (Steve) of Goodyear, AZ; Bonnie Clark(Glenn) of Puyallup, WA; Sharon Webster (Robert) of Puyallup, WA; sons John Wallace(Lois) of Liberty, WA and Scott Wallace (Ellen) of Puyallup, WA; twenty grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A funeral service will begin from the Funeral Home at 9:00 AM on Monday, October 17, 2022 followed by a graveside committal with Military Honors at 10:00AM in St. James Cemetery, Primrose St., Haverhill. Arrangements are by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in John’s name to the Tremble Clef Parkinson’s Choir, Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, 11025 N111th Ave, Sun City, AZ or to any Parkinson’s Research charity.
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