Dr. Colonel James “C.J.” Wallace, 75, passed away on May 17, 2011, with his family by his side in Slidell, La. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Picayune.

He was born on February 24, 1936, in Merkel, Texas to Elvis and Alice Wallace. CJ was one of three children. He had two sisters, Betty and Kay.

At the young age of seven he was diagnosed with polio. With a determined and positive attitude, Colonel did not let his disease define who he was as a person. Through many surgeries and physical hardships, he conquered and was able to walk on his own with the help of a brace. After graduating from the University of Texas, Austin, with an undergraduate degree, he went on to earn a PhD from the University of Houston. He did many things in his career to advance the psychology field, including working with the famous, world renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Michael DeBakey.

After retiring from his full-time work, CJ spent the next couple of decades helping his wife, Shelia, run the Pearl River Information & Drug Education (PRIDE) office. The joy he got out of this work is truly indescribable.

In his free time, CJ enjoyed spending time with his wife and doing anything and everything outdoors. From mowing the lawn, planting a garden or deep sea fishing, the outdoor always made him happy.

Dr. Wallace is survived by his wife, Shelia Wallace; sister, Kay Tiemann; daughters, Kim Berry, Karen Roper, Terri Fos, Tammi Gresko, Laura Young, Joy-Lynn Medal & Premila Whitney; son, Previn Mankodi; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty; and son, Marcus Medal.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

McDonald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and register book can be found at www.mcdonaldfh.com.