Edward Arthur Wallace, 85, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away on September 30, 2024. Born on October 4, 1938, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ed lived a life marked by dedication to community and country. His many accomplishments reflect a profound commitment to service, honor, and leadership.
Ed graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1956 before earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration-Marketing from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1960. He was an avid CSU alum, much to the dismay of his UW alum family.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960, he quickly distinguished himself as a combat medic. Serving in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Cambodia, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1963 after attending Officer Candidate School. He continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserve and later with the Wyoming Air National Guard as a Medical Administrative Officer. He maintained active membership with the Wyoming National Guard Association for over fifty years. He retired from service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992, having served his country with valor and honor.
Ed served as a volunteer with Cheyenne Frontier Days for 54 years. His contributions were extensive, ranging from his early roles in the Chuckwagon Racing events to his position as Contract Acts Committee Assistant. He was also a volunteer with the CFD Art Show and a proud member of the CFD HEELS, serving on the governing committee for six years.
He was active in the Cheyenne Rotary Club for over five decades, serving on the Board of Directors and holding numerous leadership positions, including Secretary-Treasurer and Sgt-At-Arms. He served as the Membership Directory Editor for over twenty years. His peers recognized his exemplary service with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award in 1979.
An active participant in the Jaycees, Ed earned Life Membership status and was awarded the Cheyenne Jaycees Distinguished Service Award and Jaycees International Senatorship. His service extended to the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, where he served as State Secretary and State President. He also volunteered with Laramie County United Way.
Beyond civic leadership, Ed was deeply involved with the Masonic community, including Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 40 and the Scottish Rite Cheyenne Valley, where he served in various capacities until his passing and earned numerous accolades.
He is survived by his wife Carmel Wallace and his children Bradford (Lisa) Wallace of Mesa, Arizona, and Brenda Wallace of Bermuda Dunes, California, two granddaughters, as well as his stepchildren Annette Temte (Dean) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lisa Laird (Scott) of Ogden, Utah, and Sharon Wilkinson (Jim) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, four step-grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren as well as two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Joel C. Wallace Jr. and Ruth S. (McBurney) Wallace as well as his brother Joe C. and sister-in-law Charlotte Wallace. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Powers-Wallace, and ex-wife Kay Fowler Houser.
A funeral service will be held at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel October 9th at 2 p.m.. Private family burial services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum or the Scottish Rite Foundation of Wyoming.