John Wallace Jr.

1938 - 2021

John Wallace, Jr.
May 12, 1938 - September 3, 2021
Smithfield, North Carolina - John Arthur Wallace Jr. was born May 12, 1938, to Charlotte Heavner and John Arthur Wallace Sr. in Smithfield, NC. John was a graduate of the Smithfield High School class of 1957, where he served as class president. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, John majored in radio/television and played clarinet in the marching band. John's work with UNC production as a student prepared him for his role after graduation as Program Manager for WUNC-TV, Chapel Hill Campus, under UNC President William Friday. These were the early days of Public Broadcasting including education programming for adults/children and the first televised sports events with the C.D. Chesley Corporation.
John, along with his brother, Marcus Heavner Wallace, owned Heavner-Wallace Farm Implement Company, founded by his grandfather and father. During this time, John served as president of the North and South Carolinas Equipment Dealer Association and on the board of directors of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA).
Later, John and Sue moved to St. Louis, MO where John was able to leverage his farm equipment expertise and strong technical skills to serve as senior editor for NAEDA, where he created enhanced information technology solutions for farm equipment dealers. He continued to evolve that work with IRON SOLUTIONS, a Canadian Company, where he created a Blue Book and software equivalent, IRON SOLUTIONS Network, for the US and Canadian agriculture industries.
As a result of John's career, he and Sue traveled the US, Mexico, and Canada and made many lasting friends. Upon retirement, John and Sue returned to NC to be close to family and grandchildren. They lived in Smithfield, a few blocks from where John had grown up.
Centenary United Methodist Church was an important foundation for the Wallace family. Each Sunday, John sang in the church choir where his father, John Arthur, also sang, and where his mother, Charlotte, served as organist for some 40 years.
John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed time with his family. John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Creech Wallace, and their daughters, Cydne Wallace Sharpe (Charles) and Julia Wallace Curtis (Ken). His five grandsons, Nick, Reed, and Joseph Sharpe, and Campbell and Keenan Curtis were cherished and enjoyed. Time with family was a priority.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte; father, John Arthur; and his brother, Marcus Heavner Wallace. He is also survived by his niece, Emily Wallace (Land Arnold), his nephews, James Will Creech Jr. (Jacque) and Edward Turner Creech (Whitney), and five great-nieces and nephews: Jessica, Hannah, Cooper, Charlie, and Emma Creech. He is survived by his brother-in-law, James Will Creech Sr., and his wife, Nathalee.
To gather all grandsons and family, a family graveside service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
Should friends and family desire, memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield.