A scholarship fund will be established in honor of retired educator Clyde Wallace, who died Wednesday with COVID-19 at Jennie Stuart Medical Center, his son, Taylor Wallace, announced this morning in an online journal.
The family will not immediately have a funeral because of concerns that a gathering now could result in someone else becoming ill with the virus, he said.
“Dad’s wishes were to be cremated and we plan on having a big celebration of his life this summer, once a vaccine is widespread and risk of contraction is much lower,” he wrote on PostHope. “I will be working to set up a local scholarship fund in his name for anyone who wishes to donate (details forthcoming).”
Wallace, 71, was a teacher and administrator in local schools for more than three decades. He began his career at Morningside Elementary School and also taught at Christian County Middle School. He was a principal at Belmont Elementary and then an assistant superintendent for Christian County Public Schools before retiring from the district and working for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School.
“I am really sad but very much at peace that he is no longer suffering,” Taylor Wallace wrote.
His father was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Nov. 16 and was hospitalized three days later.
“Dad’s life goal was education and I really want to honor that legacy in his name. Thanks again for all of the love and support,” he wrote.
Taylor Wallace, a food scientist, lives in Washington, D.C. He traveled back to Hopkinsville this week to be with his father briefly before his death.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
