Wallace Van Gravitt

Wallace Van Gravitt died on June 6th, 2023 at home surrounded by his wife and children, one day after his 89th birthday. Wallie was born on June 5, 1934 in Lubbock, TX, the only child of Leslie Van and Denver Gravitt. He grew up in Levelland, TX. Upon graduating from Levelland High School, he attended Texas Tech University where he played the clarinet in the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. Immediately after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, Wallie joined the Army and was stationed in Chicago, IL where he served two years as the drum major for the Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon leaving the Army, he worked on an off-shore rig in Venezuela before making his way back to Lubbock. While in Lubbock, Wallie occasionally marched with other Texas Tech alumni band members during half time at football games. It was at one of these games that he met a current student and fellow clarinet player named Jeannie Newman. They married the following year on September 1, 1960. Wallie and Jeannie’s first seven years of marriage were spent farming cotton in Happy, TX. During this time they welcomed a daughter, Karen, and a son, Van. In 1968 the family moved to Midland, TX where their third child, Valerie, was born eight years later. Wallie worked for Duvall Oil and then University Lands as the Manager of Oil, Gas and Mineral Interests for the University of Texas System until he retired in 1999. Wallie enjoyed playing racquet ball and golf with his friends for many years. He eventually took up the hobby of geocaching and spent countless hours searching for and researching caches. After his retirement, Wallie fulfilled his dream of building a cabin in Colorado, spending as much time as possible there with family and friends relaxing, adventuring, and teaching his grandchildren to fish for trout. He was a long-time member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and taught the sixth grade Bible class for 35 years. Wallie never met a stranger and was extraordinarily kind. He was active, adventurous, and always learning new things. However, he found his greatest joy in supporting and cheering on his grandchildren at as many of their sporting events and activities as he could attend. Wallie was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeannie, and his three children: Karen Higgins (Dan), Van Gravitt (Cindy), and Valerie Tinker (John). He is also survived by eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one special addition to the family: Taylor Holder, Emma Anderson (Jake), Delaney and Caroline Anderson, Denver Gravitt (Madison), Corey Boone (Courtney), Caleb Gravitt. Elijah Gravitt, Noah Tinker, Zoe Tinker, and Xavier Sneed. There are many other loved ones who identify as family.

Jeannie and the children wish to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone at Hospice of Midland, as well as Myra Brantley, and Candy Carrillo for their care and support. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park, located at 4616 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX 79705. A service in his memory will be held at the same location on Saturday, June 10 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Midland, 911 West Texas Avenue, Midland, TX 79701.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellisfunerals.com for the Gravitt family.