Norval Veldon Wallace

Norval Veldon Wallace was born September 12, 1930, to Harold Bernard and Elsie May (Terry) Wallace, on the family farm near Haven, Kansas. He passed away July 18, 2014, at the Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, Colorado at the age of 83. Norval attended school in Two Buttes, Colorado, where he graduated with the Two Buttes High School Class of 1948. He then attended Lamar Junior College in Lamar, Colo., for two years before graduating. He later attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He entered the United States Marine Corps in May of 1951, where he served until September of 1952 when he was medically discharged after being diagnosed with polio while home on leave. On May 28, 1955 He married Mary Belle Wait at the First Baptist Church in Springfield, Colorado. To this union six children were born: Sharon, Veldon, Nancy, Vhonda, Kelley, Vaughn. During Norval’s lifetime he served as a firefighter for the Lamar Fire Department and County Assessor for Baca County, taught science at Springfield High School, worked at the Plainsman Herald, and worked as a caseworker for the Department of Human Services. Of all the professions he had during his life, however, farming was always near and dear to his heart. He farmed from childhood through adulthood on the family farm near Two Buttes alongside his father. He was a member and Vice President of the Colorado Assessor Association, and member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, photography, camping, playing cards, and dominos. He and his wife were avid antique buffs and traveled for many years to gun and coin shows. He also enjoyed adding to his various collections. What he most enjoyed, however, was the memories he made with his family. Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home; his children and their families: Sharon and her husband, Alan, Garey, of Big Bow, Kansas; Veldon and wife, Lora, Wallace, Muleshoe, Texas; Nancy and husband, Mike, Kletecka of Hooker, Okla.; Vhonda and husband, Gary, Longacre of Lawton, Okla.; Kelley and husband, Joe, Wells of Guymon, Okla.; and Vaughn and wife, Jessica, Wallace of Istanbul, Turkey; 17 grandchildren: Wayne and wife, Angela, Wallace of Muleshoe; Leisha and husband, Matthew, of Lubbock, Texas; Corey and wife, Jordan, of Dallas; Amanda and husband, Ben, of Yale, Okla.; Ashley and husband, Derrik, of Hooker; Samantha and husband, J.D. Benear of Meade, KS; Kacey and husband, Rusty Miller, and Bailey Wells, all of Guymon; Brittney Wells and fiancé, Trevor Smith of Hooker; Jessica and husband, J.J. Zupper of Duncan, Okla.; Caitlin, Trey and Lindsey Longacre all of Lawton; Jordan and Michael Wallace both of Istanbul, Turkey; and Dustin Garey of Big Bow; 19 great-grandchildren: Justin, Wallace, Dallas, Cadence, Thomas, Connor, Rylen, Jaxon, Joshua, Brianna, Hailey, Kimberly, Danika, William, Caleb, Ryan, Sarah, Kiana and Brantlee. Sister, Reva Buttram of Alamogordo, New Mexico; one brother, Erland and his wife, Lou Ann, of Texhoma, Okla.; brothers-in-law, Ernest Wait and wife, Phyllis of Campo, Colo.; and Roy Wait and wife, Fern of Springfield; sisters-in-law, Betty Cox of Oklahoma City; and Elsie Cox and husband, Frank of Campo; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gerald Wallace; brothers-in-law, Jack Buttram, Ralph Wait, Wesley Wait and Charley Wait; sisters-in-law: Anne Wallace, Dorothy Mason, Joanne Wait, Patty Wait; one granddaughter Cassidy Longacre; as well as several nephews and other relatives. Graveside services took place at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, at the Springfield Cemetery in Springfield Colorado. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, Southeast Colorado Hospital or to the donor’s choice.