In Memory
Richard Edward Wallace, 77, passed away at his home on July 7, 2017. He was born Aug 15, 1939, to John Passmore and Lillie (Clark) Wallace in McCook, Neb. Rich grew up in McCook where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Helwick on Oct. 18, 1957. He worked various jobs in his young life, teaching himself how to fix everything from cars, TVs, radios even becoming a locksmith as a side job while working at Barnett Lumber, a job he loved. They had two children, Timothy and Yvette. They bought their first home that he remodeled by adding on a new bedroom for Timmy and dug out a basement by hand, bucket by bucket, with help from friends and family. In 1971, he was offered a job in North Platte working for UPS, it was there they added to their family when they adopted a beautiful little girl, Staci. They went on to have a short-lived but fun family venture into self-employment with Mr. Donut, working with family, friends, even the neighbor kids. As if that didn't keep him busy enough, they had bought a home with a tiny bit of land and he did his usual huge honey-do list of getting the inside perfect, then he got to have fun spending the next years digging in the dirt! He made steps going up and steps going down everywhere, with layers for a garden and flowers. He built a huge storage shed and decided to dig a little more and added a deck and a pool for the kids, lots of fun and happy memories. In 1986, they followed their kids to beautiful Colorado, where they had enjoyed many family vacations in the years before. Settling into Loveland, Colo., he worked a few different jobs before venturing into his own handyman and vending business. He loved fixing pop and vending machines and with his love of building and landscaping, he was a happy guy. After Rich and Mary Lou retired, they made one last move to Lyons, Colo., to live closer to their three grandchildren. He enjoyed coaching and later sponsoring little league baseball, was involved in Boy Scouts with Tim. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed fixing old cars, camping, fishing, anything outdoors, loved gardening, coin collecting, picking up every penny he ever saw (at a young age he was told that meant someone in heaven was thinking of you) playing poker and all the friends he met and laughed with there, loved collecting old tools, rummaging through junk shops, as he called them, with the grandkids. They found many treasures. He loved Nebraska football and his Ford trucks. But most of all he LOVED his family. He greeted us all with a big hug and sent us off with a big hug and love you every time. He loved his grandchildren, Brittany, Nathan and Isaac more than words could ever say and they know how special they were to him. Instead of your everyday fort or treehouse, grandpa built them their very own HUGE truck in the backyard to play on. And Charlie, he had a very special place in his heart for him, always being there when he needed him, with that big grin and his quirky remarks that made him laugh even in tough times and the only one he'd let give a fresh shave in the hospital and that first walk through the park with his cool new ride (his mobility scooter). His son-in-law, Don, who is very special to all of us, he was there in such a big way in the very end that we will always be so grateful for. He loved the last weeks he had, spending one-on-one time with Tim since he had been so far away in St. Kitts, that was beautiful for the both of them. Staci and I were so very lucky as daughters to have such a strong, protective, sweet, loving, caring, funny man as our father. Growing up, he always loved being home, kids all around, smile on his face, friendly to any and everyone that entered his home. He stayed that way through life. Even in the ups, downs and hardships of life, Mary Lou was his one and only true love to the very end. His body gave up on him so much sooner than his heart and soul wanted. He put up such a strong and brave fight to the very end. We'll love you and miss you forever Dad, you couldn't have been a better husband, father, grandpa or friend. He is survived by Mary Lou; son, Tim (Julia) Wallace, daughters, Yvette (Charlie) Bryant, Staci (Don) King and grandchildren, Brittany, Nathan and Isaac King; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Wallace and Loni (Denny) Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom, John, Alf, and Gary; sisters, Helen, Dorothy and Edna; a very special person in his life, Mary Lou's mom, Mary Helwick; sister-in-law, Del Hughes and brother-in-law, Harold Helwick. Cremation was honored and his family will lay him to rest privately in a special place that he has requested.
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