Retired GSU professor missed

Homecoming services was held Tuesday, July 3 for Dr. Wallace Bly, a retired Grambling State University professor.
Dr. Bly was the only child born to Escal Bly and Emma Katherine Carroll Bly on March 3, 1929, in Kingsport, Tenn. He received his early Christian education at the Friendship Baptist Church in Kingsport and united with the Lewis Temple C.M.E. Church after moving to Grambling. He served faithfully as an usher and steward at Lewis Temple.
Mr. Bly married Lucille Hunt in 1953, and to this union two children were born. His life was blessed with three grandchildren with whom he shared his love of fishing, hunting, boating, tennis, reading, dancing, and skiing.
Bly served in the United States Army from September 1952 to February 1954. After fulfilling his military obligation, he received a B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Morris Brown College in Atlanta in 1956.
In 1966, he earned an M.S. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In 1972, he received the Ed.D. in Health and Leisure Studies from the University of Utah.
From 1958 to 1961, he was employed at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. Coming to Grambling in 1961, Bly spent seven years as a teacher and coach at the GSU Laboratory School. From 1967 to 1984, he worked for GSU. From 1984 to 1990, he worked at Texas College in Tyler, Texas.
Returning to GSU in 1991, he was employed as coordinator of general recreation and associate professor until 1998.
A “man’s man,” he maintained a professional membership in organizations relative to his area of expertise.
As a citizen of Grambling, he worked actively to establish programs for the city and its people.
He was Scoutmaster for Troop 140 of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Outstanding and Meritorious Service Award; Chairman, Grambling City Parks and Recreation Committee; started the Junior Tennis Program in the Grambling; and organized the first USTA sanctioned tennis tournament in Grambling.
Bly’s passing is a deep loss to his family and friends. Those who will be most deprived of the warmth of his pleasing personality and the strength of his character are his wife of 54 years Lucille; his son Eska Roderick Bly; his daughter Denise M. Bly-Lawrence; three grandchildren; an uncle; and many cousins.
He also has a church family and neighbors who have been part of the extended family, as well as former athletes and students whose lives he impacted.