Russell W. Wallace, Jr.

Dr. Russell W. Wallace, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 66 years, Letitia, their children and spouses, Vicky and Mike, Mark and Nancy, Ann and Danny, grandchildren Catherine, Sumar and Tyler, Oscar, Sofie, and his many friends and family.

Russ was born August 24, 1934, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Russell W. Wallace, Sr. and Mamie Bell Wallace. He grew up in Monticello, Florida, where he attended Jefferson County High School, graduating as the senior class president in 1952. He studied biology at Emory University and joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Russ met his lifelong soulmate, Letitia, at Emory. They graduated together and married the next year on July 6, 1957. Russ graduated from Emory Medical School in 1960, then completed his medical internship at the Emory, Grady, and VA hospitals. In 1961, he enlisted for active duty in the Navy and served as a doctor on a destroyer and later at a base in Charleston, S.C. After three years of service, he returned to Emory to complete his residency in internal medicine and neurology. He began private practice in Decatur in 1968 and was affiliated with DeKalb Medical Center (now Emory Decatur Hospital) for over thirty years. During this time, he served on many hospital committees, was recognized as a Physician of the Year, and earned the Best Doctor award. He took numerous trips to Honduras with medical teams to treat patients in remote villages for neurological and other health conditions. After clinical practice, Russ worked for another twenty years evaluating medical claims for Social Security. He continued to serve others by volunteering as a physician with The Hospice of the Good Shepherd and The Good Samaritan Clinic, and taught free woodworking classes through The Holy Comforter arts program. Dr. Wallace retired in December 2021.

In addition to his role as a physician, Russ was a supportive, lifelong husband to Tish, with whom he shared countless adventures, including parenting their three children, scouting, hiking, travels around the world, deep shared friendships and family ties, projects and volunteer activities, running a medical practice, and adopting many wonderful pets. He dedicated his life to his family and to the quiet service of those in need. He was an active member of his church, which he joined while still at Emory. He was an inclusive, understated leader, quietly showing up for every family event and Sunday pizza dinner. Russell Wallace was humble, intelligent, and creative. Over the years, he was an orchid grower, treehouse builder, carpenter, wood turner, sailor, coach, volleyball player, avid reader, planner, caregiver, and poker-faced card champion. He was known for pulling your leg with a serious expression, belied only by the twinkle in his eye. He loved sweet iced tea and watermelon with salt. He touched many lives with his kindness. He will always be in our hearts.

Rather than flowers, Russ preferred donations to Honduras Outreach (HOI.org), any of his church's partner organizations (HolyTrinityDecatur.org), or charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on September 10, 2023, at Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur, Georgia.