J. Mason Wallace, Jr. ’42

J. Mason Wallace, Jr. ’42, of Charlotte, N.C., died June 12. He was born July 28, 1919, in Charlotte to John Mason Wallace and Gertrude M. Wallace. Mason was raised on his parents’ farm in east Mecklenburg County. He graduated from Davidson, his Army uniform under his graduation gown. He served as a lieutenant in the Army infantry in WWII in the mountains of Italy and along the Rhone River in France. He received several battle stars and three Purple Heart medals for his combat service. In 1946 Mason married Nancy Anderson Akers and began raising their family. Nancy and their children, together with a large extended family, were the most important part of Mason’s life. Mason was a lifelong member of Sardis Presbyterian Church where he served as a church officer. He also served on a number of the governing bodies of the Mecklenburg Presbytery. He dedicated much of his time, resources, and abilities to serving the church and the community. Mason served many years on the board of directors and as chairman of Presbyterian Hospital. He served on the board of trustees of Davidson, Brevard Music Center, Queens College, Charlotte Country Day School, and Sharon Towers. He also served on the Mecklenburg County Commission. Mason enjoyed the outdoors. He spent many hours with Nancy hiking in the North Carolina mountains with the Carolina Mountain Club. For a number of years they helped maintain a section for the Appalachian Trail north of Hot Springs. He loved flowers, attracting birds to his yard (and fighting off squirrels), and gardening. He loved sharing the fresh vegetables that his garden produced. In recent years, Mason was buoyed by the love of his family, friends, and the community at Sharon Towers. He maintained his sense of humor, even as Parkinson’s disease robbed him of his mobility. Mason was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nancy, and his youngest daughter, Gertrude Morgan. He is survived by his daughter, Kay Hodges (George), 2236 Overhill Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211-2122; son, John M. Wallace III (Debby Carlton Wallace ’81); son-in-law, Gary Morgan; daughter, Sally Wallace; and sister-in-law, Mary Akers Cathey. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: George Hodges, Jr. (Jennifer), Nancy Hodges, Katherine Swain ’06, Frank Swain ’09, Elizabeth and J. Mason Wallace IV, and Margaret and James Morgan. He recently shared in the joy of the arrival of his first great-grandchild, George Sawyer Hodges.