Mr. Donald Earl Wallace

Donald Earl Wallace was born on February 18, 1945 to Eugene & Clara (Young) Wallace and left us to go Home on October 12, 2010. He slipped the bonds of earth and his failing body surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly. Don was a native Miamian and grew up here when it was a much smaller city: when a boy his age could ride his bicycle from his home in Allapatah to Key Biscayne to swim and climb coconut trees. Except for a few years in Wisconsin, he always lived in Miami. He served in the Army during Vietnam and was proud of his country and service until the end. He always flew an American flag at his home to honor those who served. Don graduated from Jackson Senior High School and one of his greatest joys in the last few years was reuniting with old schoolmates. In 1994 Don purchased his first and only Harley and for many years was able to know the joy and freedom of riding. Among all these things Don’s greatest passion was home and family. He loved the home that he and his wife, Karen, had made together. He always told her how much he loved their home and especially when it was decorated for Christmas. Don made certain that the outside Christmas lights were installed and ready to light on Thanksgiving night every year. He was preceded in death and is now reunited with his father, Eugene, his mother, Clara, stepfather, Bill, and two stepbrothers. He leaves to mourn and remember him always, his wife, Karen; son, Travis; stepson, Jason; daughter-in-law, Whitney; grandson, Nathaniel; sisters, Edna Mokher and Martha Cochran; brothers-in-law, Joe Mokher and Larry Zimmerman; sisters-in-law, Jean Zimmerman and Gwen Zimmerman; and many nieces, nephews and “children of the heart�. Don’s biggest legacies are his love and kindness. Through the years many, many people-from children to adults-knew him simply as “Papa�. He never judged and was always willing to listen and counsel when asked to do so. Don always told Karen, “Try to remember that each person is probably doing the very best they can at that moment.� His family would like all of us to carry that message of understanding and peace forward in the world. In memory of Don and in honor of his service and the services of all the members of our armed forces, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or another veteran's organization of your choice.