In Memoriam: Gary E. Wallace
Gary E. Wallace, an industry veteran and professional musician, died suddenly on July 14. He was 59 years old and is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Robinson-Wallace. Born and raised in St. Louis MO, Wallace toured the U.S. in his earlier years, playing sizzling, high register trumpet in a number of pop/rock/funk and show bands. He was also a vocal impersonator, especially well known for his likenesses of Rod Stewart and Prince. He left life on the road in the late 1990s for a more stable lifestyle. His first industry job was as an Inside Sales Associate for St. Louis Music, providing retail dealer support for the southwest U.S., including southern California. He also assisted in national sales for Crate, Ampeg, Alvarez and Knilling products.
Mars provided Wallace with the opportunity to move over to the retail side, first in St. Louis and then Las Vegas, ending up as Department Manager for Band and Orchestra when the company was liquidated in early 2003. Choosing to stay in Las Vegas, his next job was Senior Department Manager for Band and Orchestra at Sam Ash, which led to a promotion to Sales Manager in Educational Sales for the Southwest Region. He left Sam Ash in the spring of 2009 to take a job as Store Manager of Nick Rail Music’s two San Diego locations and, in so doing, fulfilled a lifelong dream to “make it out to the coast.”
In the spring of 2012, Wallace left southern California for Washington State to be near his daughter and two granddaughters. He had just started as Store Manager for Kennelly Keys’ Lynwood location at the time of his death.
Cards can be sent to his wife, Tammy Robinson-Wallace, 23043 Ida Lane, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Donations can be made to the Gary Wallace Memorial Fund through PayPal.