Welton Douglas Wallace

Welton Douglas "Doug" Wallace passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning, December 22, 2023. He was 58.

Born on December 14, 1965, Doug was preceded in death by his father, Welton Radell "Oley" Wallace, and his mother, Emilie Ruth Wallace. He is survived by his aunt, Louise Hickox Dittrich and husband, Edwin W. of Granbury; his uncle, Thomas William "Bill" Hickox and wife, Virginia of Marshall; uncle Charles R.Hickox and wife, Kaye of Irving; uncle Ronald Glynn Wallace of Gatesville; and cousins on both sides of his family. He is also survived by his dearest friends, the Tennenbaum family of Irving: Tanya, Daniel, Lillian, and Madeline. He considered them his chosen family, and they chose him in return.

Doug loved family more than anything else - his chosen family, his extended family on both sides, enjoying reunions and informal get-togethers, and keeping in touch with as many relatives as he could. While she was alive, his mother was his best friend and they did everything together. He often told stories of their adventures, especially noting holiday memories. He missed her dearly, often visiting her gravesite, leaving a small stone on her headstone in memory of her legacy. He had a deep love for family history and seemed to know things about long-gone relatives that no one else knew. His sense of family was so vast that he even traveled to Europe at one point with his mother and aunt to meet distant cousins in France. Extended family members who learned of his passing mourned him as one of their favorites.

Doug enjoyed a few simple pleasures in life: time with "the girls" (Lilly and Maddie - they called him Ubba and Unka Doug - their baby names for Uncle); driving to favorite BBQ restaurants (Angelo's), even driving across the state to find a good meal (he loved that he had been to more of the Texas Monthly BBQ places than the man who rated them); and listening to old country music. He had songs for the girls: Lillian's was "Red Dirt Girl" by Emmylou Harris, and Madeline's was "Atlantic City" by The Band. One of the group's favorite songs was Chris Stapleton's "Where Rainbows Never Die." Everyone agreed that Doug was the very best storyteller, entertaining anyone who would listen with his larger-than-life tales that would have people laughing until they cried.

He loved New Mexico, especially Red River and Taos and dreamed of retiring there. But he was also drawn eastward to Memphis and loved a road trip with good company, good music, and good BBQ or stopping at any old diner or cafe.

He had a heart of gold and helped everyone he could from the down-and-out to a kitten he once saw being abused, rescuing it and keeping it as his own. He was generous to a fault even when he had little for himself. A big bear of a man, he was all bluster and no bite - just tender-hearted and full of love. Styling himself as somewhat of a progressive redneck, he spoke out against injustice and bigotry and never met a stranger. He loved keeping up with the news, reading the paper from front to back, and had an opinion on most everything current. Doug had friends from all walks of life and was loyal to those he loved. He faithfully attended Grace Point Church in Irving and was known to share truths from the messages he heard as he grew in his faith. He was humble in asking for prayers in his journey and generous in praying for others.

At the time of his death, Doug was the owner of Cardinal Machine (the "cardinal" was based on his feeling that his mom was watching over him), an OEM manufacturing company for government contracts specializing in the water jet business. He had been in this line of work since he was nineteen, except while working part-time jobs when his mother became ill.

We will miss Doug dearly, but rejoice that he is now resting in peace at home with his Lord. A few weeks before his passing, Doug posted this verse on Facebook: Ps. 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." He also wrote, "I'm looking to the light...Jesus is the light.. 'Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.' I'm going to have the best year I've ever had next year, God willing and the creek don't rise. Love you all."

His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 30th at 2 pm at Grace Point Church, 208 S. Story Rd., in Irving, Texas. The funeral home is Chism-Smith Funeral Home in Irving. Doug will be buried beside his dearly-loved mother at Boggy Cemetery in Bosque County at a later date.