Daniel Wilson Wallace

July 24, 1944 - September 1, 2025

Daniel Wilson Wallace, 81, passed away peacefully in Shalom Hospice care at TriStar Centennial Medical Center, in Nashville, TN,  on September 1, 2025. Dan was born on July 24, 1944, in Clarksville, TN, to two teachers Wesley and Madeline Wallace. He grew up in Fairview, TN where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and helping his family tend their 400 acre farm and dairy. He graduated from Dickson County High in 1962 and attended Trevecca Nazarene University, Austin Peay State University, and after serving in the army he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1970 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Chemistry. He served in the Army 1966-1968 in Colorado and New Mexico where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Expert in M-14 rifle, and a Good Conduct Medal. After finishing college he was employed until retirement by the State of Tennessee as an environmentalist for Williamson and Hickman Counties. In this role he touched thousands of lives by protecting the environment through data analysis, policy development, and public education on sustainable practices often focusing on issues like pollution and resource management. He tested soil, advised the water treatment facility, inspected restaurants and public pools, ran the animal pest control, approved lines for septic and sewer lines for home owners and land developers, and anything else needed for public safety (up to and including shooting hundreds of destructive pigeons that had invested Franklin's city hall). His strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills were maximized in this role.

While in the military he married Maureen Frances McLeod in Denver, Colorado October 1967. They returned to Tennessee where they built a home on the family land, just a walk through the woods to his parents Wesley and Madeline. Two daughters completed the family, Darlene Dawn born in 1972 and Leah Linette born in 1974. They all worked together to raise elk-hound dogs, garden, and enjoy outdoor adventures. After 12 years they divorced in July 1979. Dan remarried Martha Jo in September 1979 and gained a step-daughter Becky. He and Jo enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening together for 38 years until her death in November 2017.  All of his friends and family remember his impact on their lives.

Dan lived a life defined by his thirst for knowledge, ingenuity, and a deep love for the outdoors. An avid outdoorsman, Daniel found joy in every season of life spent outside. He enjoyed deer, elk, and duck hunting, fishing, camping on the Tennessee River, and was a master gardener who valued tending to his orchards and gardens. His passion for working the land extended to beekeeping, making maple syrup, grafting fruit trees, and cattle farming, pursuits that reflected his respect for nature’s rhythms and his dedication to hard, honest work.

Gifted with his hands and a mind full of ideas, Dan was always building, learning, and problem solving with ingenuity and creativity (building a hydraulic wood splitter for instance). His intelligence and endless curiosity made him a lifelong learner and teacher. He found meaning in exploring every branch of science and Cherokee Native, United States, and World histories, often sharing knowledge with those around him in creative, connecting ways.

Those who knew Daniel will remember his sharp mind, inventive spirit, and the way he could turn the ordinary into something remarkable with bits of wonderful knowledge. His legacy is one of resilience, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. He will be missed and remembered always by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. He shaped our lives.

The memorial service will be September 27th at 11:00 at First Baptist Fairview, 7310 Overbey Rd, Fairview, TN 37063, officiated by Rev. John Robbins.  The burial will be at 1:00 with military honors at the Sullivan-Mangrum Cemetery, Old Cox Pike Fairview, TN 37062 (located about 0.7 miles from Spencer Mill Road).  This cemetery land was donated by Dan's parents and is in view of the Wallace family land and barn. The family will spend the rest of the day in Leeper's Fork where Danny spent some of his earliest childhood.

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Survived by:

Daughters:

Darlene Lewis Jackson (James) of Birmingham, AL

Leah Linette Jordan (Thomas) of Colleyville, TX

Step-Daughter:

Rebecca Gail Cude of Centerville, TN

Sister:

Judy Wallace of Fairview, TN

Grandchildren:

Elise D. Lewis, Nathan A. Lewis, Katie Jordan, Regan Jordan, Sean Jordan

Step-Grandchild:

Gaylon Cude

First Wife & Mother of Darlene and Leah:

Maureen Francis Ginder

Preceded in death by:

Parents: Wesley and Anna (Sullivan) Wallace

Second Wife: Martha Jo Wallace

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