By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Opelika resident and military veteran Wallace Jackson Paschal passed away Saturday at the age of 86 years old.
Born Sept. 4, 1932, Paschal was raised in the Riverview community, part of the city of Valley. He worked his way through the Boy Scout ranks to become an Eagle Scout and graduated from Valley High School in 1951.
After high school, Paschal married Lorene Sims and joined the Air Force. Following four years of active duty service, he came home and accepted a position with Alabama Gas Corporation, where he remained until his retirement in 1991.
During the latter portion of his military career, Paschal followed in the path of his children and went to college, obtaining an associate’s degree from Faulkner University in 1990.
Paschal’s military service did not end after leaving the Air Force. As a member of the Alabama Army National Guard, he worked his way through the ranks, eventually attaining the rank of command sergeant major, the highest rank possible for an enlisted member. At the conclusion of an eight monthlong tour in Saudi Arabia in 1992, Paschal retired from military service.
Retirement found Paschal as active as ever, enjoying time spent with his family, his community, and as a leading member of the Cowboys Coffee Club and Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEOs) lunch group. As a man of faith, he was heavily involved as a member of First United Methodist Church.
Paschal is survived by Lorene, his wife of 65 years, daughter Phoebe and sons Wallace Jackson Paschal II and Noel Jay Paschal, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, among many nieces and nephews.
Fellow Cowboy Coffee Club member Woody Ross shared that “Wallace was a great friend. An outstanding listener. He will be very much missed by all of us at the Cowboys Coffee Club … I know he has a good place in Heaven now.”
According to Paschal’s obituary on Jeffcoat Trant’s website, “visitation will be 2:30 to 4 p.m. today in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church. Funeral services are planned for 4 p.m. with Rev. Robin Wilson officiating. Paschal will be buried in Shady Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (donate online) or First United Methodist Church (Building Fund), 702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL. 36801. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing.
