Last updated on August 6, 2022
Michael Henley Wallace, lovingly known as “Pop” Wallace, left for his heavenly home on July 31, 2022. He was born on September 14, 1947, to Evelyn and John H.Wallace, Jr., while living in Schenectady, New York. The family moved back to Texas, where Mike would live the entirety of his life. Mike graduated from Rockwall High School in 1966. He was voted Class Favorite, Most Handsome, Head Captain of the football team, and won first place in track team events. It was there that Mike also met the love of his life: a Cheerleader named JoAnne.
Mike served in the Vietnam War and received several distinguished awards, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal. He graduated from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, with a degree in Civil Engineering. Among his many roles professionally and in the community, Mike served as a councilman in Heath, Texas. He was owner of Wallace Feed & Grain in Rockwall, Texas. While president of a company in Dallas, Mike helped build condominiums on South Padre Island, Texas. He helped renovate El Dorado Golf Club (McKinney, Texas), as well as helping to build Covenant Church (Carrollton, Texas), Fellowship United Methodist Church (Trophy Club, Texas), Sushi Zushi Restaurants (in the Dallas area), and numerous Chick-fil-A Restaurants throughout Texas.
“Pop” loved working with his hands, taking care of the horses, cattle, and hayfields on his family farm. He trained many young men from Rockwall County to work diligently in those hayfields; he also encouraged many of them to study Architecture and Engineering. “Pop” enjoyed gardening and shared most of his vegetables with family and friends, as well as sold the fresh produce from his gardens and pecans from his trees at several Farmers’ Market Events.
Above all, he loved the Lord. Mike traveled for several years, telling others about the true gospel of Jesus Christ, his Savior. He was a passionate believer and prayed hours each day for his family, friends, Rockwall County, and America. Mike attended several churches in Rockwall County each month to be a part of their prayer meetings. He supported missionaries throughout the world, year after year, and his heart was especially burdened for those who had lost their spouses: wife or husband. Not only did he help them financially, but many times he offered free labor to help fulfill specific needs. Mike enjoyed music sung by Men’s Quartets and he attended many of their concerts. Afterwards, he would encourage them to continue to teach the true gospel in the lyrics of their music. Mike was also the bass singer for Heath Baptist Church Men’s Quartet.
Recently, Mike became President of an organization in Rockwall County to help families who are suffering with many types of mental health issues. He opened up an account at a local bank to take care of those particular needs. He worked with Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department and the Rockwall Police Department.
Mike is survived by his wife, JoAnne, aka, JoAnna…his children…Mike and wife, Shara; Josh; Julianna and husband, Jason; his grandchildren…Victoria and husband, Brent; Michael, Zak, Alli, Logan, Ashton, Chloe, Maddox, and Ella; his great-grandchildren…Ayla, Tristan, and Davan. He is also survived by his siblings…Anne and husband, Bill; Don and wife, Cathy; Mary Jean and husband, Doug; Patty and husband, Gerald.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, August 13, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 224 Smirl Drive, Heath.
The Wallace Family is forever grateful to God, our Heavenly Father, for showing His precious love for us through the many phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook posts, beautiful cards, flowers and delicious food. We certainly appreciate each one of you who took the time to pray for us. We have felt God’s Peace and Love.
