Timothy Wainwright Wald

The son of Sidney Joseph Wald and Elsie Marie Wald, Tim was born on January 11, 1947 in Houston. Tim was a 6th generation Texan raised in Houston's Briargrove neighborhood. A good athlete and smart but mischievous student, he attended St. John’s School, Grady Elementary, Briargrove Elementary and graduated high school from San Marcos Academy. He briefly pursued higher education at SMU but chose to enlist in the Army. He served three years in Germany as a HAWK Missile Fire Control Crewmember before ultimately returning to Texas and graduating from Texas Tech University.

While completing his studies, Tim married the love of his life (since 5th grade), Mary Sue, on January 25, 1969. Together, they had two children in Lubbock, Texas, before moving back to Houston in 1972, where they had two more children and raised their family. Back in Houston Tim joined the family business, Wald Transfer & Storage, where he was an active member of the Mayflower Warehousemen's Association. He later served as CEO of Franklin Mobile Phone, ultimately selling the company to Houston Cellular in the mid-1980s.

Tim was a supportive member of the community as a coach of youth sports and an usher at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church. However, much of his volunteer work was incurred at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which he joined in 1977. After multiple decades of service, he left the rodeo as a Lifetime Director with many accomplishments, including purchasing the Grand Champion Steer with a group of friends in 1988.

After retiring from the business world, Tim’s brilliant and curious mind led him to pursue numerous interests such as teaching science at The Briarwood School, taking high-level math and science courses at HBU and investing in a few local businesses.

A lifelong fan of the Houston Oilers since their inception in 1960, and later the Houston Texans, Tim rarely missed an Oilers home game. He was even selected to be a player for the “Baby Oilers” that would often play before and during Oiler games. When the Texans came to town, "Tim's Tailgaters" will attest to the good times he created before games. With his children by his side, Tim watched his last Texans football game on January 18th and he could likely hear Mary Sue saying "I told you those darn Texans wouldn't make it to the Super Bowl again!"

TW was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed taking his wife and children hunting (including a safari trip of a lifetime to South Africa), fishing (Tiki Island, Poco Bueno and some great excursions to Canada's Northwest Territories) and camping (primarily Lake Sommerville and Colorado). Of course, Tim aka "Mr. Wizard" would build many of his own guns, load his own bullets, craft his own rods, tie his own flies and even built his own fishing boat. His children never saw him hire a handyman as he could fix just about anything. He was also a skilled pilot, with several thousand flying hours, who loved flying his Piper Malibu all over, including a remarkable flight from Houston to Germany to see his first granddaughter shortly after her birth.

Tim had a passion for good food, fine beverages, and creating memorable times with family and friends. Though he attended many social gatherings, it was often at the urging of his more outgoing wife, Mary Sue. That being said, he was always up for stone crab at Truluck's, crawfish at Ragin’ Cajun, his own home cooking (he was a heck of a chef), or Chinese food just about anywhere!

Tim and Mary Sue remained in Houston until 2009, when they moved to the Texas Hill Country, settling at the Last Buck Ranch in Blanco, Texas. For the last decade, the two best friends would split their time between Blanco and Buena Vista, Colorado, cherishing the beauty and tranquility of both places. Sadly, 13 months ago and just before reaching 55 years of marriage, Mary Sue passed away unexpectedly. Those close to Tim knew he would not wait long to be with her again. His family is grateful for the bonus year he gave them before moving on to be reunited with his Suzy just in time for their anniversary on January 25th.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Sue Wald; his parents, Elsie Marie Wald and Sidney Joseph Wald; and his grandchild, Rebecca Lara Lundquist.

Tim is survived by his children; Lisa Wald Lundquist and her husband Rick, Scot Christopher Wald, Ryan David Wald and his wife Brita, and Laura Wald Fondren. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Kathleen “the Goose” Campbell, Angele “the Chub” Lundquist and Timothy Lundquist; Lukas and Markus Wald, Gabrielle Wald, and MaryMarie “Wooter” Fondren. He is also survived by his siblings; Linda Wald Brown, Carol Wald, Tracy Wald and their spouses along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Tim will be remembered as a "quality over quantity" kind of guy who valued his family and relationships deeply. A big teddy bear, his legacy of kindness, devotion to his wife and children, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation for the world around him will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

A celebration of Tim's life will be held Thursday, January 30th at 2pm at Chapel of the Angels at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas. At 4pm, Tim’s family will host a crawfish boil at Ragin’ Cajun located at 4302 Richmond Avenue.

Tim donated blood nearly every year until he was the one needing it weekly over the last nine months. Therefore, the family requests that in lieu of flowers to please go donate blood or make a financial contribution to “Life Gift”.

Mom and Dad, the pain of missing you reminds us how lucky we were to have you and know your love. Every bit of pain comes from a place of joy for all the good times we shared and everything you meant to us.