Wallace Ozan

Born on November 24, 1941, at his family’s homestead (by midwife, Emily White) in Ames, Texas, to Ofield Ozan and Aledia Ann Ozan (née Walters), Wallace accepted Christ and became a dedicated life-long practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church at an early age. Wallace grew up in Ames surrounded by a large and spirited family. His childhood in Liberty was full of lively days with his rambunctious brothers and sisters, stories of which became legendary in family gatherings and will be shared for generations.

After graduating from West Liberty High School, Class of 1959, Wallace answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Army on June 30, 1959. Wallace’s overseas service included command assignments in Korea and Vietnam, where he served as the Field Artillery Radar Section Chief and Detachment Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the 234th Field Artillery Radar Detachment, 1st Infantry Division Artillery. Wallace’s commanding officer wrote—

Your enthusiasm, leadership characteristics and the tactful and understanding manner in which you handle subordinates marks you as a man well deserving of promotion in advance of your contemporaries.

Your conscientious devotion to duty and unswerving loyalty earned you the respect of both superior and subordinate alike and is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service. Your actions reflect favorably on yourself and the United States Army.

Wallace also received the Bronze Star Medal on October 12, 1968 (on his middle daughter’s fifth birthday), for his meritorious service in ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam. Giving over 19 years of dedicated service to his country, Wallace achieved his highest enlistment rank of Sergeant First Class, and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, having earned him the respect of his fellow soldiers through his unwavering leadership, discipline, and honor. His military career took him to places near and far, sparking a love of travel that would become a lifelong passion.

After retiring from the Army in 1978, Wallace returned to his roots in Raywood, Texas, and began a second distinguished career at DuPont Chemical Plant in La Porte, Texas. For 25 years, he brought the same integrity and work ethic to his role in operations that had defined his military service. Retirement, however, didn’t slow him down. His family humorously called his DuPont retirement “the worst retirement ever” because before long, he was behind the wheel of a Goose Creek ISD school bus, transporting developmentally atypical children with care, patience, and joy until his beloved Leila retired. Then, together, they embarked on adventures across the world, often with Wallace as the self-appointed “semi-professional travel agent,” planning journeys with military precision and a touch of flair.

Wallace’s life was defined by love — love of faith, family, and country. He was a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Baytown, where he served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and under-treasurer responsible for candle donations and Mass offerings. He faithfully brought the sacraments each Sunday to residents at Allenbrook Nursing Home, especially fellow veterans and parishioners, sometimes joined by his granddaughter, Setara, and later always accompanied by his youngest son, Robert.

His passions were many: traveling to new places, honoring and preserving the Ozan family heritage, caring for others with his generous heart, and making people laugh with his quick wit.

For anyone reading this, Wallace would insist that we remind you all that “Ozan” is the ORIGINAL spelling. He would also want us to remind you that this is not up for discussion.

Wallace was instantly recognizable in any crowd thanks to his iconic hats, each one worn with confidence and character.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ofield and Aledia Ozan; siblings: Bertina (Joe) Perry, Johnny (Katherine) Ozan, Frederick Ozan, Sr., Fabian “Bookie” Trahan, Michael Ozan, Lucille Ozan, and O’Neal Ozan; and his beloved wife, Leila Ozan, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and travel.

To cherish his memory, Wallace leaves behind his brother, Woodrow “Woody” (Yolonda) Ozan; his children: Wallace Ozan, Jr., Pamela “Pam” (John) Barr, Darwin Ozan, Marjorie Ozan, Robert Ozan, Veronica Kirkland, Anthony (Michelle) Williams, and Krystal (Christopher) LaMark; his treasured grandchildren: Tiffani (Bentrel) Wilcox, Setara Ozan, Mia Ozan, Antoinette Williams, Bishop Ozan, Alliyah Williams, Darian Ozan, Christopher V. LaMark, and Cruz LaMark; great-grandchildren Kye and Journey; and a host nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, family, friends, church family and travel buddies.

Wallace’s legacy is one of service, faith, humor, and steadfast love. He leaves behind a family united in their gratitude for the example he set: a man who navigated the complexities of a large and extended family with grace, dignity, and self-sacrifice. As we celebrate Wallace’s life, we remember a man who lived fully, served faithfully, loved deeply, and always wore his hat just right.