He graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He received a BBA degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1949, and became a true member of the "greatest generation." He began a lifetime career in the mortgage banking and real estate development business in l949 in San Antonio, moving to St. Louis, Houston, and Austin where he managed a mortgage loan office for General American Life Ins. Co. In 1959, Harold had the good fortune to join the firm of Mortgage & Trust, Inc. of Houston, entering as V. P. of Residential Loan Production and Construction Lending, advancing to Chairman of the Executive Committee and manager of M & T Real Estate Investment Trust. After retiring in 1987, he continued as Vice Chairman Emeritus with Mellon Mortgage, successor to M&T, Inc., until 1996. During his career, Harold was widely known and respected for his expertise in his field, his integrity as a businessman, and his loyalty as a personal friend. His education and experience included membership in the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, President of Young Men's Business League of Austin, President of the Houston Chapter of Real Estate Appraisers, President of Houston Mortgage Bankers Assn., member of the Governor's Flood Control Committee, the Governor's Metropolitan Transit Task Force, and member of Board of the Mid-Town Assn. In 1993 he was given the Texas Mortgage Bankers Distinguished Service Award and a lifetime membership for exemplary work on its Education Committee.
After retirement, Harold continued to give liberally of his time and energy as a member of the Urban Land Institute, member of the Regional Issues Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership, member of the Texas Region H Water Development Board, President of West Houston Water Supply Corp, and Chairman of the West Houston Association. Most important and rewarding was his service as Trustee of the John S. Dunn Research Foundation, so generously and thoughtfully established by his close friend and employer, John S. Dunn, Sr. In this capacity, he also served 8 years on the UTMB Galveston Development Board. In 2008, the Dunn Foundation established in his honor the C. Harold and Lorine G. Wallace Distinguished Chair at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, specifically for research on stem cells.
Harold's love of music began very early, leading to his charter membership in the San Antonio Symphony trumpet section. He was a faithful patron of the Houston Symphony for many years. He was a charter member of the Austin Headliners Club, member of BraeBurn Country Club, the River Oaks Breakfast Club, and Houston Realty Breakfast Club. He loved traveling, and visited most of North America and Europe.
Harold was the only child of Ruth and Charles Montgomery Wallace of San Antonio, but he had a close relationship with his many cousins. He married Lorine (Lo) Graeber while in Austin. Their two sons, Charles Harold Wallace, Jr. of Austin and John Ross Wallace of Houston, John's wife, Yvonne and their children, Caroline and Grahme, and Lo were the center of his devotion. Lo's large family was also a source of much love and fellowship.
For those wishing to attend, the entombment service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 20th of February, in the Memorial Mission Mausoleum Chapel at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 21st of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Any memorial contributions in Harold’s memory may be directed to Houston Baptist University, Harold and Lorine Wallace Endowed Nursing Scholarship, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, Texas, 77074.
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