Glenn (Waldo) Wallace, 92, of McKinleyville, died peacefully on Sept 12, 2026

Glenn was born in Hillsboro, Illinois on Dec 28, 1933. His family moved to Stockton, where he spent his early years before moving to Eureka. He graduated from Eureka High School in 1951 then attended HSU until he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea where he was with the Military Police.

Upon his discharge he returned to HSU. He was a natural athlete and loved both basketball and football. He was all conference in both, and a member of the first championship teams for HSU in both sports. He led the basketball team in scoring two seasons and was named one of the “Northcoast Athletes of the Century.” He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both Eureka High School and Humboldt State University.

Glen moved to San Francisco where he met and married Jo Collins in 1960. They had three children, Mollie, Jerry and Chip. They divorced in 1978.

Glenn started his career in insurance working for Liberty Mutual insuring the logging and lumber industry, which led to his working at Simonson Lumber Company in Smith River. During that time he took up flying and bought an airplane so he wouldn’t have to drive there every day. He eventually opened his own business, Western Self-Insurance Service in Eureka in 1978. In 1982 he joined in a partnership with good friends, Larry and Agatha Nord and they bought Cal Courts Health Club. It was at that time and place he met Betty. They were married Nov 26, 1988 in Reno surrounded by family and a few close friends. Glenn and Betty planned a trip to exotic locales on their anniversary every year and traveled extensively throughout the world. Betty was his “Honey Bun” who he loved dearly.

Glenn loved hunting, fishing and packing with his horses and mule into the Trinity Alps, but his most favorite place was his cabin at Trinity Lake where he enjoyed entertaining family and friends during most of the summer. Everyone looked forward to “taco night” on Fourth of July.

Glenn’s good friend, Jack Retzloff, got him interested in horseracing and they spend over 30 years watching their horses run at numerous tracks in California. Glenn and Betty owned many racehorses throughout the years.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Hazel, his brother, Jerry Lee, and his sister Sherilyn.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Betty, his favorite sister-in-law, Mary Brennan, his children, Jerry, Chip, Mollie Holmgren and his stepson, Chris, his grandchildren Ellis, Milly, Cameron, Cassie, Bryce, Ian and Mason, his great grandchildren, Luke, Jack, Lania, Tayla and Rykin.

Glenn was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Thank you to the staff and caregivers at Grenada Rehab for giving him such good care.

The family will have a private service at a later date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Glenn Wallace’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.