Gordon Willcox Wallace Jr.

WALLACE, Gordon Willcox, Jr., 55, died on May 1, 2021, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Beloved for his selfless spirit and service to the community, Gordon was a quiet force for good who focused tenaciously on doing the right thing and inspiring others to join him.

His love for his wife, Caroline Trask Wallace, and daughters, Caroline Elizabeth "Lizzie" and Anna Trask, ran pure and deep. Gordon is survived by his parents, Elizabeth Fleet "Lizzie" and Gordon Willcox Wallace; three brothers, Douglas Fleet Wallace (Elizabeth), Scott McKim Wallace (Ashley) and Maxwell Clarke Wallace (Britt); and 19 nieces and nephews.

Born July 1, 1965, Gordon was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, a 1983 graduate of St. Christopher's School and a proud Eagle Scout. A lifelong fan of Wahoo sports, he received his undergraduate degree from UVA, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Eli Banana Ribbon Society. He was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, the country's oldest patriotic organization, founded in 1783.

A Darden School of Business graduate with an entrepreneurial spirit, Gordon began his career at First Union in investment banking telecom. From there, he founded Tredegar Towers, a cell tower leasing business; and later, Global Sleep Products, a mattress and sleep products company with his partner, Pierce Walmsley. In 2009, he purchased Marpac, LLC (now Yoga Sleep) and, with Jimmy Sloan, transformed the company into an industry leader.

Gordon was a guiding founder and longtime Chairman of the Board of Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, which provides full scholarships to all of its 2nd through 8th grade students, primarily from Richmond's East End. "He humbly recognized what he'd been given, and he felt a desire to do the same for others who weren't as fortunate," says Mike Maruca, Head of School. "He had zero interest in any fanfare or recognition, focusing instead on his belief that a high-quality education can be achieved by students of any background."

An explorer and lover of history and adventure, Gordon felt fortunate to have his eyes opened to the world through travels with his family to Brazil, New Zealand, India, Fiji, Australia, Southern Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, to name a few. But his heart belonged to places closer to home: Retreat Farm, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, Figure 8 Island and Nags Head.

The family is especially grateful to Dr. Clark Trask and for the heartfelt support of "Team Gordon" as well as Dr. David Reardon of Dana Farber Cancer Center, Dr. Mark Malkin of VCU Massey Cancer Center, Dr. Peter Wilbanks and Jay Browne for their compassionate care.

Burial will take place at Hollywood Cemetery on Saturday, May 8, at 11 a.m. Those who wish to honor Gordon's legacy may make donations to the Gordon W. Wallace, Jr. Memorial Endowment Fund at Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, 2124 North 29th St., Richmond, Va. 23223.