David Kelly Wallace

We lost a bright light in the world when David Kelly Wallace, 57, of Deer Park, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on March 16, 2026.

David was a devoted caretaker to his parents, a much-loved brother, nephew, cousin, and a cherished, dependable friend and colleague to many throughout the Houston and Galveston area. He had a special love for dogs, a reflection of his kind and caring spirit.

Early on, David was known as Kelly to family and neighborhood friends.  He grew up in a close-knit community, with friends that would get together for weekends, holidays and vacations—many of these friendships remained an important part of his life over the years. He graduated from Deer Park High School and went on to attend Sam Houston State University, graduating with a Radio, Television and Film degree in 1992.

David was blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit that guided him through many pursuits. Creative and full of ideas, his mind was always turning—often toward new and promising real estate opportunities. At one point, he and his brother Scott owned many properties together. David also had a natural talent for negotiation and a knack for making a deal. In fact, he once talked the price of a tune-up down from $110 to $80—a small but memorable example of his charm, persistence, and sharp instincts.

He loved to cook and was always experimenting with new cuisines, from barbecue to Indian. In 2016, he opened Lone Star BBQ and Grill with a high school friend in Puntarenas, Costa Rica—a venture that gave him the perfect excuse for frequent trips. David had a knack for finding the best restaurants—usually tucked away and off the beaten path, but always worth the journey. He introduced many of us to foods from different cultures that we might not have tried on our own. His most recent passion was his new pizza oven, which, true to form, he proudly purchased at a tremendous discount.

Few could match David’s drive and vision. In recent years, he purchased a lot on Galveston Bay and began transforming it into a personal retreat with a tiki-bar atmosphere. It was a true labor of love that brought him great joy. He was also excited about his newest real estate partnership and office in a historic building in Galveston. Like David himself, the space was unique, and he took great pride in completing it.

David is survived by his mother, Dona Wallace; his brother, Scott Wallace, and Scott’s wife, Ellen; and his beloved dog, Bonnie. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to your local animal rescue or shelter like Deer Park Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.

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