Kenneth Kerry Wallace, 70, died Thursday, November 3, 2022 at home with his wife by his side. He had suffered a major stroke on October 4. A memorial service followed by a reception dinner will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at St. George Episcopal Church, 6904 West Avenue, San Antonio, Texas.
Kerry was born at Florence Nightingale Hospital in Dallas on June 12, 1952 to Burton Kenneth and Mary Virginia (Dyar) Wallace. After his family lived in Highland Park, then a suburb of Dallas, Texas, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, then Staunton, Virginia, then to Princeton, New Jersey, then to Farmer's Branch, another suburb of Dallas. He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 1971 along with his best friends Ken Dennis and Pat Prendergast, and his brotherhood of classmates.
After graduation, he moved to California to be with his family. It was there that he took a hotel job that charted the direction his career would take. The hotel gradually transferred him to its restaurant side. Kerry's family returned to Dallas; he quickly moved to Houston, taking a hotel restaurant management job near the newly built Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental). He went on to work for Gerber Restaurant Supply where he met his good friends Al Garcia of Missouri and Jim Claflin of Oregon, then to Gardner Restaurant Supply where he met Anne Forbes of Johnson City.
On April Fool's Day 1986, Anne Forbes, John Hever, and Kerry Wallace formed Forbes, Hever & Wallace. The company represented manufacturers of food service supplies and equipment. He was based in Houston until 1989 when he made San Antonio his permanent home. His partners and employees became dear friends. Although tiring, Kerry loved his job. Some of the suppliers and clients he worked with like Carol Neuser of Wisconsin; Joe Burke of Pennsylvania; Tony Dettling of Dripping Springs; and Doug Oneacre of San Antonio became family friends.
Kerry retired in December 2015 and married one of his best friends from high school and college, Rondina Phillips Muncy, on April 29, 2017. She was the love of his life, and he was the love of hers. They once promised to never marry again, only to end up married to each other. Kerry introduced Rondina to the most wonderful friends a person could have. She introduced him to housework, remodeling, and the concept of pants. Despite great effort, she did not succeed in getting him to switch from shorts.
Kerry had a dry wit, a crooked smile, and a kind, encompassing personality. If you were lucky enough to call him your friend, he never forgot you, noting every birthday you had.
Kerry is survived by his wife, Rondina; his sister, Patricia "Trisha" Macko (Vic) of Stockton, California; and his brother, Gregory "Greg" Wallace of north Texas. He is also survived by his three stepchildren, Samantha Muncy Orndorff (Philip) of North Carolina; Natalie Muncy Smith (Brandon) of Pensacola, Florida; and Matthew Muncy (Margarett) of Fort Worth. His parents, sister Pamela "Pam" Jett (Al), and son Patrick Marlowe Wallace predeceased him.
The family wishes to thank everyone who have helped Kerry and Rondina. A special thanks to his dear friend, Doug Oneacre. Doug spent hours by his side during three different hospital stays over the last four years. One could not wish for a more loyal friend.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Kerry's honor to the San Antonio Food Bank. An online obituary and tribute page can be found HERE. We hope you sign the guestbook and add a good picture, if you have one.