Tracy Eugene Wallace

Tracy Wallace was a kind, trustworthy, godly, courageous, and loving man, some people even called him a warrior, a hero. He was a prominent figure in the community of Lubbock Texas both as an independent business owner of Wallace Sprinkler, Inc and an avid supporter of all things Texas Tech sports and Lubbock Christian. He was a graduate of Lubbock Christian University having been recruited by Larry Hays to play basketball in 1974. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in higher education. From there he coached men's basketball, drove the school bus, was the athletic director and taught high school in Spade, Texas for 3 years. During his coaching career he began installing sprinkler systems as a 2nd job in the summers to supplement his income. In the spring of 1981, the decision was made to become a full time independent business owner and Wallace Sprinkler company was born. Tracy was born in Lubbock on May 10, 1956. He attended elementary school in Lubbock until a move took his family to Denver where he graduated from Cherry Creek High School. While attending Lubbock Christian University he met his lifelong companion, his wife Sharla...they have been married for over 46 years. In 1981 they were blessed with their daughter Amber, who has been and will always be Tracy's little princess. Tracy's business continued to flourish with determination and hard work. There have been so many wonderful partners along the way that have entrusted Tracy with their continued support of Wallace Sprinkler. His work relationships have always been built on mutual trust, friendship and respect. Amber's husband David and Tracy had an incredible relationship that began almost instantaneously through their love of golf. They spent much time together on the golf course, watching and talking sports, and many other adventures together. Amber and Sharla say David and Tracy talked more on the phone with each than they did to them. In January of 2010, he became Papa T to Brooks, his only grandson and became infatuated with this baby boy. Papa T loved spending time with Brooks and attending anything in which he was involved. They had a very special relationship and made many wonderful memories together. Tracy had a zest for life like no other and lived every day to the fullest. He had many interests but was most passionate about his family, golf, snow skiing, fly fishing, traveling and being at the lake. He loved to travel and would be considered by most an excellent travel agent, always planning every trip's details to a T. He spent many summer and winter vacations in Colorado with his family and friends with a fly rod in hand or his ski boots strapped to his feet. If you asked, he would say spending time on a river was his happiest place on this earth. We always say that God lives in Colorado and only visits other places. Tracy was a social butterfly with too many dear friends to count. Whether on the golf course or at their weekly lunch spots (all of the finest eateries in Lubbock) spending time with his "boyfriends" was something he always looked forward to. In June of 2008 Tracy was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a very rare form of cancer. MD Anderson became Tracy and Sharla's 2nd home for the last 15 years. Due to the rarity of Tracy's cancer, he went through numerous experimental trials, willing to be a guinea pig, and fought so hard to beat his cancer. He always had a positive attitude and the will to keep living a normal life. Tracy won his battle against cancer peacefully when he went into the arms of his Savior on the morning of January 4 at the age of 67 with his family by his side. We are confident he is in heaven either playing 18 holes, getting some good ski runs in on perfect snow or casting his fly rod in a river. We know now that Tracy is healed and is at rest. Everyone who loved him will miss him every day. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sharla, his daughter Amber Bolen, her husband David, and their son Brooks; his mother Joanne Hale, his sisters Camille Pritchett, husband Randy and Deanne Robertson; step sisters Sherry Pollinzi, husband Sam and Terry Smith; brother in law Lester Gicklhorn; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins, all of whom were so special to him. Tracy was proceeded in death by his father E.J. Wallace; step father Stan Hale; mother and father in law Hardy and Louise Scott and sister in law Sheri Gicklhorn. We want to thank everyone who has been involved in our lives, especially the past 15 years, that are too numerous to count...loving us, supporting us, praying for us,. They include our church family, our family, our family of friends and people we don't even know. We also would like to include the doctors and nurses locally and at MD Anderson for their excellent care as well as Hospice of Lubbock. Without this support we would never have been able to get through this journey. Even throughout the difficulties, there have been so many blessings along the way that kept us all going. We love and appreciate you all more than we could ever say. Please join the family as we celebrate the amazing life of Tracy with a visitation on Monday January 8 from 5:00-7:00 at Sanders Funeral Home; 1420 Main Street. The memorial service will be Tuesday January 9 at 2:00 at Monterey Church of Christ; 6111 82nd Street. At 4:00 a celebration party will be at the McDougal Companies Building; 1500 Broadway. The family suggests any donations be made to your favorite organization or charity in memory of Tracy.

Tracy Eugene Wallace

May 10, 1956 - January 4, 2024