Kenneth Wallace, age 70, of Houston, Texas passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022. He was born in Lubbock, Texas on October 29, 1951 to parents J.W. Wallace and Ella Mae Wallace. Ken graduated from Estacado High School and received a bachelor's and master's from Texas Tech University. He met Carolyn in Lubbock and the two married on November 27, 1976.
Kenneth had a career in education at Lubbock Independent School District and Galena Park Independent School District for 45 years. He was a member of numerous organizations and had a passion for sports and fishing.
Kenneth received a full scholarship to play football at Texas Tech University. He was the first Black American football player to graduate from Texas Tech in 1974.
Kenneth was the first Black man hired to be head coach in any sport at one of Lubbock's predominantly white public high schools. He also was the first person from within the Lubbock school system to be hired as head football coach at one of the city's then-Class 5A schools. He was inducted as a Texas PTA Honorary Lifetime Member.
He is preceded in death by his father J.W. Wallace; mother, Ella Mae Wallace; brother, Jim Willie Wallace Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Wallace; son, Reggie Wallace; daughters, Tiffany Wallace, Tonya Wallace; brother, James Wallace; sister, Shirley Clark (Gary); sister, Elsie Hartfield. Along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members, neighbors, and many many friends.
Special thanks to Galena Park Independent School District, Lake Houston Church of Christ, and Texas Tech Football.
A visitation for Kenneth will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will occur Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Lake Houston Church of Christ, 8003 Farmingham Rd., Humble, TX 77346. A committal service will occur Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A reception will take place Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM at North Shore Senior High School at 353 N Castlegory, Houston, TX 77049.
Serving as pallbearers are Taje Allen, Reginore Anderson, Kenneth Bryant, Daniel Johnson, David Moody and James Mosley. Serving as honorary pallbearers are the 1968 Lubbock Estacado Matadors Texas High School football state champions. Texas Tech football teammates (1970-1974).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidefuneralhomelauder.com for the Wallace family.
PALLBEARERS
Taje AllenActive Pallbearer
Reginore AndersonActive Pallbearer
Kenneth BryantActive Pallbearer
Daniel JohnsonActive Pallbearer
David MoodyActive Pallbearer
James MosleyActive Pallbearer
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