Thompson "Tommy" Murphy Wallace

Tommy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 12, 1934, and was a life-long resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He lived a long and blessed life despite battling Parkinson’s disease for the past 14 years. Tommy was a loving, unselfish and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved to get together with family and friends and have a good time. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1952. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He spearheaded the founding of Le Cercle de Bacchus along with other young bachelors. An entrepreneur at heart, he started many businesses, was active in construction and land development and was the owner of Wallace Appraisal Company. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

He was beloved as “Uncle Tommy” and “Papa Tom” by his nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Moncure Wallace and Eleanor “Peach” Murphy Wallace and sisters Virginia Wallace Ward and George “Pretty” Wallace Jones, brother and sister-in-law’s Charles Lawrence Bahlinger, Sr. and Vera Rae Baker Bahlinger and Elmer “Mo” Glenewinkel and Mary Lou Baker Glenewinkel. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Rita Roger Baker Wallace from Beaumont, Texas and two children, daughter, Eleanor Vera ”E.V.” Wallace and son George Baker Wallace both from Baton Rouge. He is survived by his grandchildren John Thompson Wallace, Anna Marie Wallace and husband Cameron Jack Benedict and their children Ansley Jo Bennedict, Boone Baker Benedict and Fletcher Saige Benedict. He is also survived by many beloved Murphy cousins, Bahlinger and Glenewinkel nieces and nephews. Tommy was loved by those who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Wallace, Charles Bahlinger, Jr., Cameron Benedict and his infamous "Lunch Bunch" friends John Bilisoly, Frank Endom, Dan LeJeune, David McNeil, Wayne Pugh and Herb Sumrall, and lifelong friends from childhood D.R. Atkinson, Billy Barfield, Buddy LeBlanc, and Buddy Webre. A special thank you to his Home Instead caregivers Janice James and Regina Howard.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 14 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am; officiated by the Reverend Trey Nelson. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park at 4045 North Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Greater Baton Rouge at www.svdpbr.net/give