by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Being a judge at any level is often a very time consuming occupation, but some find time away from work for family, community and clarity.
There are a handful of interests Circuit Court Judge and Florida Supreme Court Justice candidate Waddell Wallace is involved in when he is not presiding over juvenile court in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Away from the courtroom he is known as “Dell” to his friends and he can be found teaching Sunday School at Riverside Presbyterian Church, involved with his sons’ athletic activities, running, being a sports fan or day dreaming about sailing.
“I got into sailing after law school,” said Wallace. “I grew up in Venetia on the Westside and we spent a lot of time on the river growing up, and after I got out of law school and moved back to Jacksonville I got into sailing. Haven’t done it in a while, but I’d like to get back into it.”
Some free time may be coming his way with his oldest son Nathaniel, 22, attending Florida State University and his youngest, Jonathan, 17, preparing to go to college next year.
This will be the first season Wallace, a lifetime Gator fan and graduate of the Florida Law School, will find himself rooting for the Seminoles when the two teams meet this season because Jonathan will be an offensive lineman for the team.
“He got on the field (Wednesday) and it’s a dream fulfilled for him,” said Wallace. “It’s his team I’ll be rooting for.”
One of his first memories of the intrastate rivalry was of a train ride to Tallahassee for a game.
“It was 1964. I was 11 and my dad and I took the train with the Jacksonville Quarterback Club up to Tallahassee,” said Wallace. “The railroad had a spur that allowed the train to go right up to the back of the stadium. It was the first time Florida lost to Florida State (16-7), but other than that it was a perfect football event.”
Wallace may watch college students compete on Saturdays, but he is front and center for students at Riverside Presbyterians Sunday School the following day. He currently has the task of preparing eighth grade students for their confirmation into the church.
“It’s there first real transition from childhood to being an adult and making a choice for themselves,” said Wallace. “Being involved with the class strengthens your own faith and keeps you in touch with the young people.”
Along with Sunday School, Wallace is the clerk of the session responsible for taking minutes at church meetings and keeping meetings on track with the rules of order, has served as an elder and has held multiple seats within the church’s governing body.
“He does his homework thoroughly,” said Sophie Maness, director of Christian Education. “He is very present with young people. He wants to know what they think and they respect him for that.”
His about 6-foot-4-inch frame helped him earn some respect on the basketball court when he played for the Lee High Generals. His playing days may have subsided but he can still talk about the high school days with Circuit Judge Jack Schemer and attorney Jeff Morris who played against him as members of the Wolfson High Wolfpack basketball team.
“He was a solid basketball player,” said Morris, who was also a center and would match up against Wallace, “and an even better judge.”
Wallace should find out in the coming weeks if he will take his career to the next level as Gov. Charlie Crist will make a selection for a new Justice on Florida’s Supreme Court. Wallace is being considered along with First District Court of Appeals Judges Ricky Polston and Peter Webster.
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