Jim Wallace, Sr.

Oakley J. "Jim" Wallace, Sr., age 89, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Thursday, October 5, 2017 at his home with his wife Bonnie by his side. Jim was born April 10, 1928 at Topeka, Kansas, the son of Howard Swan and Florence I. (Niles) Wallace Swan. Jim attended Osawatomie High School. While in high school, Jim worked at Cut Rate Market for Fred and Bessie Zakoura in Osawatomie. At the age of 17, he entered the U. S. Navy serving his country during World War II. He served on the USS Tucson, USS Perkins, USS Bausell, and US Navrecsta. He was honorably discharged November 17, 1947 having earned the rank of Storekeeper Third Class. After Jim was discharged, he learned the trade of being a meat cutter from Fred Zakoura under the G. I. Bill. He later went to work for Wilson Meat Company where he was their top salesman for two years. From there, he went to work at Bob Brown's Market in the Westport area of Kansas City. It was in the early 60s that Jim partnered with Floyd "Cookie" Cook and became co-owner of The Cow Palace in Osawatomie. They added shelves to include other grocery items for their customers in their meat processing store. Jim and Dorothy Russell were married in 1951. Their marriage ended in divorce. In 1963, Jim was united in marriage to Bonnie Platz. They made their home in Osawatomie. Jim enjoyed hunting quail in his younger days and his preference for hunting dogs were Brittanies so he named his favorite hunting dog Britt. Jim also liked to fish, running lines on the Marais des Cygnes River. He truly enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends camping at their cabin east of town. His memberships included the Masons, VFW, American Legion, and Elks. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Michael Howard Wallace, grandson Jesse A. Bolling III, daughter Julie Taylor, two brothers Bernard Farran and Paul Swan, and his sister Clotelle Gribbon. He is survived by his wife Bonnie of the home; two daughters Jamie (Jesse) Bolling and Cheryl Wallace both of Osawatomie; son O. J. "Jimbo" (Kelley)Wallace, Jr., of Osawatomie; 11 grandchildren Stacy England, Brock Graham, Clint Graham, Michael Taylor II, Logan Taylor, Hunter Taylor, Braxton Taylor, Cole Wallace, Sydney Wallace, Ethan Wallace, and Neal Gochenour; 11 great grandchildren Jess Allen Bolling, Riley England, Regan England, Rachel England, Brynna Graham, Brantley Graham, Owen Bell, Memphis Childers, Austyn Taylor, Payton Taylor, and Evelyn Taylor; two great-great grandchildren Jesse and Isabella Bolling; many other relatives and friends. Family and friends are encouraged to click on the "Share a Memory" tab to post memories and condolences for Jim's family.