Dr. Joe Wallace

Dr. Joe Long Wallace Dr. Joe Long Wallace, formally of Austin, died at home in Midland, Texas on September 18, 2010. Dr. Wallace was born October 1, 1949 in Austin to Margaret Long Wallace and Chester Gregg Wallace, Sr. Joe Wallace had a lifelong love of his family, traveling, reading, and especially the great outdoors. One of his favorite things was to spend time at his ranch hunting, and quietly reading. Joe displayed his independence, determination and mischievous curiosity early in life. His mother remembers a trip to the Grand Canyon when Joe was five and a man asked if that was her boy swinging on the railing out over the canyon. When Joe was eleven, he wanted to have the highest flying rocket in the neighborhood. Joe climbed to the roof of the carport, lit the rocket, and simultaneously fell off the roof as the rocket lifted off. When Joe was 13 he was involved in an accident that represented a turning point in his life. A lawnmower shot a piece of wire into his arm, resulting in an emergency room visit. After many failed attempts by the staff to remove the wire, a young intern was finally successful, sparking Joe's fascination and lifelong dedication to medicine. As a junior high school student Joe would get up early before school, ride his bicycle to his parent's land outside of town for the first day of hunting season, and still manage to get to school on time. When he was in high school Joe and friend Bob Walters ended up with an unusual trophy when they pulled a stolen (to their disappointment) motorcycle out of Lake Austin with their fishing line. Joe loved to tinker, bargain, and collect old "stuff" especially woodworking tools and antiques, and like his father was a voracious reader with an almost photographic memory. Whenever someone asked about other countries, cultures, or the world in general Joe could recall minute details sounding almost like a walking encyclopedia. Joe met the love of his life, Martha Alice Coker, while at East Texas State University. They married in 1971, had their first child, Jennifer, and moved to Arlington, Texas so that Joe could attend Southwestern Medical School. It was while Joe was in medical school that their second child, Hugh (of equally mischievous curiosity), was born and Joe joined the United States Air Force. The family moved to San Antonio, Albuquerque (where Amanda was born) and finally settled back in Austin. Joe and his family lived in Austin until their youngest child, Amanda, graduated from high school. Joe had always dreamed of living in the country and finally had his chance in 1999 when he and Marcy moved to the country just outside of Midland and Joe opened his clinic, West Loop Family Medicine. Joe was dedicated to his family, patients, employees, and colleagues and will be missed by all. Joe is survived by his wife, Marcy Coker Wallace, their three children, Jennifer Wallace of New York City, Hugh Wallace of Midland, and Amanda Wallace of Austin. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Wallace of Austin, brothers, Gregg Wallace and wife Patsy, James Wallace and wife Jan, sister Judy Wallace of Austin, brother-in-laws Rick Coker and wife Melinda, Gary Coker and wife Nancy, and many loved nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Tuesday at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Odessa. There will be a viewing at 5pm, followed by the funeral at 6pm. He will be buried in Austin at the Wallace Family Cemetery on Thursday at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To sign the guest book, go to our website at www.sunsetodessa.com.