Wallace Philpot, longtime Texas Baptist pastor, died March 5 in Keller. He was 87. He was born on Sept. 5, 1934, in Siloam Springs, Ark., to Jake Sandlin Philpot and Virginia Elizabeth Huffman Philpot. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Prior to joining the army, Wallace worked as a barber, and his life changed forever the day a young woman named Aleen came into the barbershop. They were married in 1960. Wallace served Edgefield Baptist Church in Waco as pastor while he was a student at Baylor University. In July 1966, Wallace accepted a call to become pastor of Oak View Baptist Church in Irving. He served the church 38 years prior to his retirement in 2004. During his tenure, he led Oak View Baptist Church through a number of capital and spiritual growth campaigns beginning with “Faith in Action” in 1967 and culminating with the construction of a new worship center in 2001. In 2005, the church named him pastor emeritus. Wallace served Dallas Baptist Association in a variety of roles, including moderator, parliamentarian and building committee chairman for Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Aleen Mae Philpot; sister Wanda Shook; and brother Paul Philpot. He is survived by son Wayne Philpot and wife Wendy of Santa Anna, daughter Lisa Jones and husband Steve of Haslet, five grandchildren, and brother Bruce Philpot and wife Suzanne of Galveston. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on March 12 at Oak View Baptist Church in Irving. The family encourages memorial gifts to Grace House c/o Norma Sandel, 11640 Net Leaf Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76254.
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