Gail Calvin Wallace

    Gail Calvin Wallace of Toledo, Washington passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2026, after a brief illness. Gail was born in Toledo to James Forest and Louise (Calvin) Wallace on Nov. 20, 1930. Gail graduated from Toledo High School in 1948, where he participated in football, basketball and baseball.

    Gail served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Brule (AKL- 28) from 1950 to 1954. He visited Korea, the Philippines and Japan during his service. He enjoyed growing roses and gardening.

    In 1954, the Howard-Cooper Corporation was very helpful in financing a fleet of International brand heavy equipment for the newly created Wallace Brothers Construction. Gail and his brothers Don, Ron and Dale headed south to Hoopa, California where they began logging, log hauling and building logging roads.

    In Hoopa, Gail met and married Lorencita Masten, who was a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe. They had four children together: Clifton, James, Tammy and Dorie. While in Hoopa, Gail purchased and operated a gas station. He also constructed a building which would become Wallace’s Department Store, where he sold clothing and shoes in the Hoopa Valley. Another memorable event during his time in Hoopa was the 1964 Trinity River flood, as it caused major damage to his store and home. While he was living in California, a daughter, Jeanne, was born.

    Gail moved back to Washington about 1971, got married, and began operating a trucking business that hauled rock, logs and freight. He eventually put all his resources into building Gee Cee’s Truck Stop, which opened around 1986. After he and Susanne divorced, he continued to operate Gee Cee’s until his retirement in the late ’90s. After his retirement, he traveled to Mexico, Scotland and Russia. In Russia, he adopted Artem (Terechov) Wallace and brought him back to the United States.

    Gail leaves behind a legacy of hard work and perseverance. He always believed in taking a chance to achieve his vision of creating successful business ventures throughout his lifetime.

    Gail was preceded in death by his parents, James and Louise Wallace; brothers James, Don and Ron; his sisters, Mary Lou and May Fournier; his first wife, Lorencita; his second wife, Susanne; son Clifton; daughter Dorie; and grandson David.

    He leaves behind brothers Dale and Ralland Wallace; four children; James (Tracy) Wallace, Tammy (Chris) Stevenson, Jeanne (Dale) LaCelle and Artem Wallace; 18 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

    A Celebration of Life will be held at The Big Green Barn (305 Lone Yew Road) in Toledo on Feb. 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.                                                In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Toledo Community Foundation.