Wallace Clark

James Wallace Clark, age 78, of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born on March 12, 1948, in Menlo, Georgia, Wallace lived a life defined by his strength, courage, passion for the outdoors, and his deep love for his family and friends. Wallace was an athlete, proudly playing fullback for the Auburn Tigers, where he carried that grit and toughness throughout his life. Drafted by the Falcons in 1971, his short-lived pro football career ended with an injury. Wallace retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in Atlanta and lived until the end of his life in Canton, Georgia with his wife and best friend Brenda.

An avid and lifelong outdoor- "outlaw", Wallace was at home when he was in the woods or on the water. Whether he was camping with friends and family, chasing gators, ducks, deer, turkeys, bass or grouper, nature was his home. Wallace was a great outdoor chef whipping up squirrel and gravy, fried grouper and cheese grits, or venison tenderloin wrapped in bacon. Wallace was soft at heart and seemed to be made of old leather and grit on the outside. He was an intimidating man that was born 100 years too late.

Wallace loved his children and their friends and cherished time with them. He loved his childhood friends and made memories at "The Cabin", camping on the creek with Uncle Joe, taking trips the Florida Keys to chase Mahi and Sailfish, spending hours on his boat at St Marks catching Grouper and Cobia, or chasing ducks, deer, doves, squirrels and rabbits throughout the Southeast. He was by far the best shot with a shotgun you would ever know. He loved dogs, the sun, saltwater, trout fishing, a cold north wind and a good fire. On a spring night he could talk to the owls and have them right above us in the trees. He smoked and drank and laughed and loved every moment that life gave him. He taught his kids to be strong, to believe in themselves, to make good decisions and to be fearless and adventurous.

Wallace was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Ruth Horton; his father, Robert Milton Clark; and his stepfather, Allen Horton.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Brenda; his children, Adrian Hulsey (and Mark), Allen (and Mandi), and Cydni Orebaugh (and Stephen); and his cherished grandchildren, Austin, Sara, Lucy, Levi, Tyler, Cameron, and Clark; and his sister, Ethlyn Clark. He also leaves behind a host of extended family, great grandchildren and friends who will dearly miss his big heart, his storytelling, jokes and his adventurous spirit.

A celebration of Wallace's life will be held in Woodstock, GA at Lakeside Funeral Home on November 21st. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a local conservation or wildlife fund in his memory, honoring his love for the great outdoors.