Howard Wallace

Hard-working and funny are two words that come to the minds of those that knew Howard Wallace. He had an insatiable zest for life and boundless dedication to his family, the driving force behind his success. Howard was compassionate and giving with an understanding way of dealing with his customers, yet he still managed to own and operate a thriving business – proof that one does not need to be rigid and unfeeling in order to be successful. Howard lived a fulfilling life while weaving together a magnificent tapestry of memories that will be forever cherished by so many.

The year 1926 was a great year to be an American. We had emerged from WWI as a world leader and as a result, business was booming as industries were expanding to meet peacetime needs. Baseball was exciting thanks to greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, jazz was hot, and movies were drawing people to theaters like never before. It was also during this year that Harold and Edna (Atwater) Wallace, of Comstock, Michigan, were basking in the glow of the birth of their second child, their son Howard, on September 29th. Howard was joined in his family by brothers Harold and DeVerne, and his sister Virginia. He was quite an active young boy who loved to keep his mother on her toes as he was known to get into his fair share of mischief from time to time. For example, it is thought that Howard accidentally burnt his one-room schoolhouse down when it was his turn to arrive early in order to light the wood stove. He attended school at the schoolhouse through the eighth grade, creating the standing joke that he went to school until he burned it down!

By the time Howard was in his mid-teens, our nation became involved in WWII, and like so many other young men of this generation, he answered the call to serve his country during this time of need. Howard enlisted in the Navy, but just after graduating from boot camp, he was given a medical discharge for having flat feet. As a civilian once again, it didn’t take long for Howard to find his niche by opening a gas station at the corner of South Westnedge and Kilgore. First, he operated Howard’s Gulf Station, and then Howard’s Service Station which was a Mobil gas station and a car service station as well. Howard operated this business for 47 years before retiring in 1991 at the age of 65.

Although he enjoyed his work, what was of the greatest significance to Howard was his introduction to a woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. During the mid-forties, he was introduced to Emma Jeanne Brown by a gal named Beverly who was dating Howard at the time. Beverly decided Howard wasn’t the guy for her, and she introduced him to her friend Emma Jeanne after breaking up with him – lucky for Howard. He was a bit smitten with the young Emma Jeanne and after having fallen deeply in love, the couple was united in marriage on June 22, 1947.

The couple was blessed with the births of four children: Howard, Daniel, Tonya, and Daryl. Howard was an attentive husband and completely immersed himself in his role as a father as well. He was a true family man who worked hard for his family, providing them with everything they needed. Howard was a loving and generous father who always supported his children in their various endeavors. Howard owned property in Scotts where he had crops and livestock, fulfilling his passion for farming. He loved sharing this passion with his family and there were so many memories including him and Emma Jeanne, their parents, and their children that were centered on this farm, especially their huge vegetable garden.

When he had some leisure time, there were a variety of activities that Howard enjoyed pursuing. He loved to snowmobile and was an animal-lover who always had an animal around whether a dog or a horse. When Howard retired, he and Emma Jeanne enjoyed leaving the cold Michigan winters behind in order to bask in the Florida sunshine, mainly in Bradenton and other locations on the Gulf side of the state. Howard’s love for cars and abilities as an auto mechanic naturally led him to sponsor local racecar drivers at the nearby speedways in Galesburg and Kalamazoo. He loved to deer hunt and had a long-time best friend, Paul Strong, who often hunted and farmed with him. They were even known to have a few shots of whiskey from time to time. In fact, even as Howard’s health was deteriorating while he was in Rose Arbor Hospice, these two cronies still nipped the whiskey together, just for old time’s sake!

One of the things that made Howard so special was his tender heart. He was generous and fair with his customers and would work with customers who couldn’t pay by bartering repair work for spare parts and occasionally even the car itself. Sometimes, Howard would even barter an old clunker of a car that eventually the kids would get to drive around the farm. Howard was a hard-working man who operated his business with integrity in so many traditional ways that so often have gotten lost in the business world of today that is frequently laced with greed and dishonesty.

It can be difficult to summarize a life that is so full, a touch that is so tender, and a heart that appears limitless. Howard Wallace was simply a gentleman if ever there was one – a gentleman that loved his family and lived to make the lives of those around him just a bit better in any way he could. He loved sharing his fantastic sense of humor with everyone within his reach and it is not only his laughter, but his zest for life, his fun-loving spirit, and his sunny disposition that will be so dearly missed. Howard leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion that will live on in the hearts and lives of all those he leaves behind.

Howard Wallace of Scotts died August 11, 2009, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Howard’s family includes his wife Emma Jeanne, his children Howard (Marsha) Wallace, Daniel (Sue) Wallace, Tonya (Jim) Newman, Daryl (Kim) Wallace, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Virginia Finch, his longtime dear friend Paul Strong, special nephew Larry Wallace, and many other relatives. Howard was preceded in death by his grandson Daniel Wallace, Jr., and his brothers Harold Wallace Jr. and DeVerne Wallace. Visit with Howard’s family and friends on Friday from 1:30-3:30 at Life Story Funeral Home, Portage; 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600). A Funeral will be held on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Howard’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to Rose Arbor Hospice.