1920
Wallace
2010
Wallace Cathcart Athey
November 2, 1920 — March 3, 2010
Harlingen/San Benito:
Wallace Cathcart Athey born on November 2, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio to Gerald and Genevieve Athey, third of six children, Wallace died peacefully at his home in San Benito surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 3.
Wallace is survived by his wife of 16 years Virginia, son Wally & Kathleen (Phoenix, AZ), daughter Beverly & Ross Cunningham (Milano, TX), granddaughter Susan & David Weedman (Phoenix), and three great-grandchildren Andrew, Steven, and Rebecca, and sister Ann Whitehead (Phoenix).
He is also survived by Virginia’s three daughters Barbara Echols Gunter, Deborah Lynn & Bobby Parrish, Tammy Lynette & Scott Hausler, 11 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Wallace was preceded in death by Isla Lou Carey Athey.
Wallace attended Denison (Ohio) College, was a Sigma Chi fraternity member and played on the Cardinal football team with two of his brothers. He trained and served as a bomber pilot in WWII and was recalled to military duty during the Korean War. He remained active in the Air Force Reserve program until he retired in 1983 as a Colonel. He was a lifetime member and Colonel in the Confederate Air Force, and became the CAF’s Executive Director in the 1980’s.
Professionally, Wallace rose to general manager of Federal Petroleum Company and worked for Hino Gas prior to his retirement.
An active member of First Baptist Church Harlingen since 1942, Wallace served in many ministry areas including Sunday school, greeter, finance, and the noontime Wednesday Bible Study. He was active in the Gideons and volunteered with Sandy Jo Funk Hospice of the Valley for more than 20 years.
The family extends special thanks to Odyssey Health Care’s Laurie Pitts, Louise Reyes, Maria Ortiz, and Deacon Paul and for all the prayers and love extended from First Baptist Church Harlingen.
Visitation hours will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 5, at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
A “Celebration of Life” will take place at First Baptist Church Harlingen led by Brother Wade Hood and Chris Hall on Saturday, March 6, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Wallace’s name to Gideons International, P.O. Box 290, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or Odyssey HealthCare, 250 Paredes Line Road, Ste B-9 Brownsville, Texas 78526.
You are invited to share a memory or condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Funeral arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Wallace Cathcart Athey born on November 2, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio to Gerald and Genevieve Athey, third of six children, Wallace died peacefully at his home in San Benito surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 3.
Wallace is survived by his wife of 16 years Virginia, son Wally & Kathleen (Phoenix, AZ), daughter Beverly & Ross Cunningham (Milano, TX), granddaughter Susan & David Weedman (Phoenix), and three great-grandchildren Andrew, Steven, and Rebecca, and sister Ann Whitehead (Phoenix).
He is also survived by Virginia’s three daughters Barbara Echols Gunter, Deborah Lynn & Bobby Parrish, Tammy Lynette & Scott Hausler, 11 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Wallace was preceded in death by Isla Lou Carey Athey.
Wallace attended Denison (Ohio) College, was a Sigma Chi fraternity member and played on the Cardinal football team with two of his brothers. He trained and served as a bomber pilot in WWII and was recalled to military duty during the Korean War. He remained active in the Air Force Reserve program until he retired in 1983 as a Colonel. He was a lifetime member and Colonel in the Confederate Air Force, and became the CAF’s Executive Director in the 1980’s.
Professionally, Wallace rose to general manager of Federal Petroleum Company and worked for Hino Gas prior to his retirement.
An active member of First Baptist Church Harlingen since 1942, Wallace served in many ministry areas including Sunday school, greeter, finance, and the noontime Wednesday Bible Study. He was active in the Gideons and volunteered with Sandy Jo Funk Hospice of the Valley for more than 20 years.
The family extends special thanks to Odyssey Health Care’s Laurie Pitts, Louise Reyes, Maria Ortiz, and Deacon Paul and for all the prayers and love extended from First Baptist Church Harlingen.
Visitation hours will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 5, at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
A “Celebration of Life” will take place at First Baptist Church Harlingen led by Brother Wade Hood and Chris Hall on Saturday, March 6, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Wallace’s name to Gideons International, P.O. Box 290, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or Odyssey HealthCare, 250 Paredes Line Road, Ste B-9 Brownsville, Texas 78526.
You are invited to share a memory or condolence at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Funeral arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wallace Cathcart Athey, please visit our flower store.