John Arnold Wallace died on Friday, October 29, 2021, of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease in Idaho Falls, Idaho. John was born on December 4, 1946, in San Mateo, California. His parents were Ruth May (Morrison) Wallace of Minot, North Dakota and Paul Sacia Wallace of Wick, Iowa.

John attended primary and secondary schools in Canby and Silverton, Oregon. He graduated with the Class of 1965 from Silverton Union High School. He briefly attended Oregon State University and in 1967, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was selected for Combat Crew Survival Training Instructor duty and graduated from the 12-month training and certification process. He completed Arctic Survival Training, Tropical Survival Training, Technical Instructor Training, and Pararescue and Survival Medical Training courses over the next several years.

John went on to conduct operational survival training at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Clark Air Force Base, Republic of the Philippines, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. He was awarded several Meritorious Service Medals and numerous commendations. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and retired from active duty in 1987.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he worked briefly as a computer operator for Borden Dairy. He then went on to a 10-year career with Builders Square in San Antonio, Texas serving in management positions up to and including Senior Director of Technical support and Senior Director of Organizational Development. He was then employed as Senior Consultant for The Moore Group in Norfolk, Virginia. John was employed briefly with Nationwide Furniture in Norcross, Georgia. The financial distress of his employer and the need to return to his home and family in San Antonio led him to Sirius Computer Solutions as  Director of Computer Operations. He retired from the active workforce in 2008.

Throughout his life, John was an avid shooter and supporter of the Second Amendment. He was a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association. He also enjoyed other diverse activities such as photography and astronomy. He had a 50-year love of motorcycles and touring. His interests ranged further into outdoor sports such as hiking, camping, waterskiing, and bicycle riding for fitness.

John is survived by his loving wife, Linda Marie (Denny) Wallace; his son, Paul Sacia Wallace II; and his granddaughter, Ashley Colleen Wallace.

At his request, there will be no funeral or celebration of life gatherings. Scattering his cremains will be in an undisclosed location.

John's life can be best remembered in the lyrics of an old Bob Seger song:

"Some men go crazy

Some men go slow

Some men go just where they want

Some men never go"

John lived his life going where he wanted to go.

Cremation was under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.