John 'Rick' Wallace

Rick Wallace, 68, of Buffalo, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on December 5, 2016 following a brave battle with cancer. He was born John Richard Wallace on September 11, 1948 in LaMarque, Texas to Raymond & Frances Wallace. Rick and his parents visited their ranch in Buffalo during the summer when he was younger and eventually settled there once Rick was about eighteen years old. Rick had called Buffalo his home ever since.

After earning his GED, Rick took some college classes from the University of Houston. He also served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam. Rick lived by the motto, "Once a marine, always a marine." After receiving two purple hearts for his valiant service, he came back to Buffalo. Rick began work for the Texas Department of Transportation and eventually retired as an inspector.

Rick liked to work in his garden. You could often find him tending to the watermelons and various other fruits and vegetables that he would raise every year. Before he became ill, Rick enjoyed having friends over to his home and having bar-b-ques along with a large bonfire. He was also an avid hunter of deer and squirrel. In his later years, Rick began studying the Buddhist way of life. He loved to walk in the woods while meditating and enjoying the serenity and calmness that mother nature offered. Most of all, Rick loved his family and friends. He always made sure that they were taken care of.

Surviving family members include wife, Phyllis Gail Wallace of Buffalo; son, Jeremiah Wallace of Atlanta, Georgia; step-son, Nevin Douglass Doug Williams of Buffalo; daughters, Frances (Ivan) Collins of Florida, Ruby Jordan of Atlanta, Georgia and Laura Lynn of New York; sister, Carolyn (Walter) Schulle of New Braunfels; mother-in-law, Nettie Haynie of Buffalo and grandchildren, Landon, Maxwell, Niya, Riley, McKayla, Kelcey, Blake, Karis, Shea and one on-the-way. Rick is also survived by his two best friends, Mark Harrison & Collie Williams of Buffalo and longtime friend, Steve Barr of Nebraska.

A private memorial service for Rick will be held at a later date.

Walters Buffalo Funeral Home in Buffalo, Texas is in charge of all arrangements.