James Robert Wallace

James Robert Wallace of Tucker, Georgia died peacefully at home in the arms of his family on May 11 at the age of 77. He was born to James Carl Wallace and Ona Price Wallace on November 9, 1938 in Magnolia, Arkansas and married Helen (Adams) Wallace in Atlanta on June 21, 1975.

Jim received both his undergraduate and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed the Doctor of Science program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1966. He then moved back to Atlanta and served as a professor of Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech until 1978. While teaching at Tech, he also worked as a consultant with Law Engineering and then MACTEC, where he continued his career until retirement. In recognition of his successful career as an engineer and educator, Dr. Wallace was honored by the Georgia Engineering Alliance with the Lifetime Achievement in Engineering Award in 2006.

Jim was a faithful servant of the Lord. He was a member of Wieuca Road Baptist Church from 1966 until 2010 and a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur from 2010 until his death. Throughout these years he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, served as a deacon, and sat on an uncounted number of church councils and committees. As a leader he performed hard inconspicuous work and made many difficult decisions in the spirit of generous service, and his close attention to detail never distracted him from the larger mission of sharing God's love with the world.

Jim was wholeheartedly committed to his family. He is survived by his wife Helen and his children Dan Wallace of Macon, Paul Wallace of Decatur, and Kristen Pierce of Lilburn; by seven grandchildren; and by his siblings Billy Wallace of Stillwater, OK, Bettie Clark of Houston, TX, and Mary Humphrey of Stuttgart, AR.

His love for people was not limited to his family. He consistently loved and cared for all people who crossed his path, particularly those on the margins and in need. His unusual combination of compassion and clear intellect made Jim a unique channel of Christ's love.

Jim played the trumpet and loved music, holding particular affection for hymns, Johnny Cash, and brass instrumentals. Perhaps his most memorable musical moment came in 2009 when he dressed in black and sang Johnny Cash's "Hurt" and "Wanted Man" in worship at Wieuca Road Baptist Church. He also admired nature and was for many years an avid birder; his backyard was and is a living city of birdfeeders, trees, and sunlight.

Please join the family in honoring Jim's life from 6:00-8:00 PM at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N Decatur Rd on Friday May 20. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Decatur. There will be a memorial service held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday May 21 at First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033