John Henry Wallace Jr.

John Henry Wallace, Jr.

May 31,1931 – January 18,2023         

LEXINGTON, KY - John Henry Wallace, Jr., retired Internal Auditor of Ashland, Inc. passed away peacefully on January 18^th,2023 in Lexington, Kentucky, surrounded by his loving family.  He was 91 years old.  John was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on May 31,1931 to Sadie Pearson Wallace and John Henry Wallace, Sr.  

He is survived by his loving wife Helen of 71 years.  He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Luann Wallace (Felts) (husband Jerry) and son Craig Wallace (wife Lee Ann); Five grandchildren: Christina Richardson (Mark), Michelle Confer (Chris), Sarah Gladstone (Bill), Rachel Combs (Cole) and Katelyn Collins (Andrew); Ten great-grandchildren: Riley, Reese, Claire and Sadie Richardson, Caroline Confer, Will, Cade and Carson Gladstone, Coleman and Lilly Combs; brothers Lauren "Duke" Hobbs (deceased), David Wallace and sister Sara Pitcher.  

He was a man of integrity and had a deep commitment to serving others.  He was known for being a strong leader in his business, church, and community.  He was raised in Pecos, Texas and graduated from Pecos High School.  He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Accounting.  He was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served overseas during the Korean War.  He continued to serve in the Army Reserve for eight years.  After his primary military service, he became a Certified Public Accountant and worked for the Peat, Marwick Mitchell firm in Dallas, Texas.  He worked as an accountant in Texas for Seaboard Oil, Texaco and United Carbon until 1963 when it was acquired by Ashland Oil Inc.  With the acquisition the family moved to Ashland, Kentucky which was their primary residence during the remainder of his career.  He gained extensive accounting experience with Ashland Oil Inc. having served in exploration, production accounting and as assistant controller.  He was named deputy controller of Ashland in 1965 and was appointed by the Board to Internal Auditor in 1973, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1991.  He served on many corporate boards and his dedication to church and community were exemplary.  He was a 60-year member of First United Methodist Church in Ashland, Kentucky serving in many leadership positions including Chairman of the Administrative Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee.  He served on Ashland's Paramount Arts Center Board for 26 years and on the Board of Kentucky Wesleyan College for 26 years, continuing as a Trustee Emeritus.  He also served as a City Commissioner for the city of Bellefonte, Kentucky for 8 years. John and Helen moved from Ashland to Legacy Reserve at Fritz Farm in Lexington, Kentucky where she continues to reside.

A memorial service will be held at Legacy Reserve at Fritz Farm, 2700 Man O’ War Blvd, Lexington, KY 40515 on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 2:00pm.  Interment will be in Dumont Cemetery, Dumont, IA.  Memorials are suggested to Sanders Brown Research – Attention: Dr. Jicha and/or First Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1670, Ashland, KY 41105-1670.

Milward Funeral Directors has been entrusted to care for the body.