John Ray Wallace

John Ray Wallace was born April 10, 1927 in Cameron, Texas. He was the youngest of five living children born to Leslie Ray Wallace and Hattie G. Sparks. He was raised on a farm and went to high school in Cameron, Texas where he played tackle on the football team. He also sang in the high school musical with his future wife, Sallie Pearl Daniel. After graduation in 1943, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and went home to marry Sallie on August 18, 1946. They then went off to the University of Texas where he earned his B.B.A. in sales and marketing in 1949 and celebrated the birth of their daughter, Nancy Eileen that same year. After graduation, they moved to Dallas where John took a job with Certain-Teed Products selling roofing supplies. The U.S. Navy came knocking again and John was recalled to active duty for the Korean conflict. Their second child, John Jr., was born September 26, 1951 in San Antonio while John was stationed at the naval base in Orange, Texas. Their third child, Leslie Howard, was born in Austin in 1953 when John returned from Korea. Their fourth child, David A., was born in Dallas, Texas in 1955. While his boys were growing up, he coached a boy’s baseball team, and was active in Boy Scouts and DeMolay.

In Dallas, he first worked in sales for Certain-teed Products, then opened Imperial Supply, a roofing supply company. He worked for George Wilhite and trained under him as an insurance agent. He sold the roofing supply company, but remained an insurance agent throughout his life.

He was a member of Urban Park Baptist Church for over 40 years until he moved to Garland and moved his membership to Lakepointe Church in Rockwall.

The unifying thread in his life was his love of Freemasonry. He joined the lodge because his grandfather(PM), his father(PM), and his two older brothers were Masons. He remained a Mason throughout his life because he loved the work and the fellowship. The number of men to whom he taught the ritual of the Lodge would be legion in number.

Masonic Resume of John Ray Wallace

Grand Lodge of Texas

Initiation 11/25/1950 San Andres Lodge #170

Passed 01/27/1951 San Andres Lodge #170

Raised 03/30/1951 San Andres Lodge #170

Demit San Andres Lodge #170 01/03/1955

James Ladd Burgess Lodge #1305

Affiliated 01/03/1955

• He served as Worshipful Master, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain

• Life Member 06/24/1961

• Endowed Member 10/18/1990

• DDGM 14B 1963 -1964

• DI 14D 1982 – 2010

• Golden Trowel 1992

• Esoteric Work (Ritual) 1953 – 2012 “A” Certificate

Zavala Lodge #1059

Affiliated 02/13/2002

• Chaplain 06/24/2003 until death

• Golden Trowel 10/06/2010

Scyene Lodge #295

Affiliated 04/17/2003

• Treasurer 06/24/2004 – 09/10/2008

• Golden Trowel 04/10/2006

R. C. Buckner Lodge #1176

Affiliated 06/08/2009

• Treasurer 06/24/2009 – 06/23/2010

14th Masonic Districts Masters Wardens & Secretaries Association

• President 1960-1961

Scottish Rite – Valley of Dallas, Orient of Texas

• 32° 03/01/1958

• KCCH 10/19/1965

• 33° 11/17/2001

• 50 year member 2008

• Endowed Member 30 petitions 1st line signer

• Venerable Master-Lodge of Perfection 1967

• Commander – Council of Kadosh 1972

York Rite

• John G. Slayter Chapter #460 05/11/1960 RAM

o Consolid. Dallas Chapter #47 06/24/1977

• John G. Slayter Council #375 06/08/1960 RSM

o Consolid. Dallas Council #18 06/24/1977

IPCW 1980

• Dallas Commandery #6 06/23/1960 KT

• 50 year member in York Rite Bodies 04/30/2010

Hella Shrine May 1965

Order of the Eastern Star

• Init. James Ladd Burgess Chapter #983 07/26/1955

• Worthy Patron 1980 – 1981

• Worthy Patron 1993 – 1994

• Chaplain 2003

• 50 year member 2005

• Consolidated Edwin J Kiest Chapter #959 01/01/2006

Order of DeMolay

• Honorary Legion of Honor

Received Masonic Hero’s Award 2009

Allied Masonic Degrees – Holy Stone Council #274

John Ray Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Grady Royce Wallace and wife Margaret, Brozi Wallace and wife Edna; his sisters, Sybil Miller and husband George, Nancy Nadine Brooks and husband Robert; his wife, Sallie D. Wallace, son, John R Wallace, Jr. and granddaughter, Tifanie Boyd.

He is survived by his daughter Eileen Lewis and husband Rex, his son Les Wallace and wife Liz, and son David Wallace and wife Donna. Grandchildren Dawn Hargis and husband Kelley; Rachel Paul and husband Tim; Michelle Brown; Cody Wallace, Mark Wallace, John Wallace, Jason Wallace, and Lt. Col. R Stephen Lewis II and wife Christine. And 12 great-grandchildren.