John Oliver Wallace, the son of Walter Cleveland Wallace and Mamie Lee Howell, began life's journey on Saturday, August 5, 1939 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina. When he was eleven months old, his aunt Nellie Wallace, brought him too live with his paternal grandparents, John D. and Annette J. Wallace, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His grandmother, affectionately called "Mama Net", gave him his nickname
Buster". Family and friends called him Buster the rest of his life.

John was baptized the third Sunday in May (May meeting Sunday) by the late Rev. Donald, pastor of St. Paul Presbyterian Church.

Buster's grandmother insisted that he not only attend school, but that he excel in all his studies. His educator began at Clear Creek High School, later renamed James H. Gunn High School, graduating with honors in the Class of 1957. In 1961, he graduated Cum Laude from Johnson C. Smith University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. In 1975, he earned the degree of Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was certified in Social Studies, Vocational Education, Guidance Counseling, and Disadvantaged and Handicapped.

In August 1961, John began his career as an educator teaching History at Martha Schofield High School in Aiken, South Carolina. He taught History and Sociology at James Russell High School in Lawrenceville, VA. He taught Geography at Emily Post Middle School in Detroit, Michigan. In 1965, he was the first African American to teach at the the then all white John McKnitt Alexander Junior High School in Huntersville, North Carolina, where he worked ten years, first teaching at Olympic High School, Charlotte included eight years as an instructor of Skills for Vocational Success and five years as Dropout Prevention Counselor. He also held the position as Case Manager at Chantilly Elementary, Smithfield Elementary, and Lincoln Heights Elementary, all in Charlotte. John retired December 31, 1999 after thirty-six years as an educator.

Additional employment included the first Harris Teeter Supermarket, the former Wallace Funeral Home, Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, the ABC Board in Charlotte, and the former Office of Economic Opportunity in Washington, DC.

John attended Chase City Presbyterian Church while working in Virginia and Carter Metropolitan CME Church while working in Detroit. However, he was a lifelong member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Presbyterian Men's Council, member and moderator of Finances, member of the Stewardship Committee, and the St. Paul Presbyterian Senior Elites. He was honored as Father of the Year in 2004, and was a recipient of the 2015 Presbytery of Charlotte Outstanding Older Adult Award.

He was a member of the National Education Association, North Carolina Retired School Personnel, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Retired School Personnel.

Buster thought his family members should know as much as possible about their ancestors. For this reason, he compiled a family history/photo album for each of his first cousins as a Christmas gift.

One of Buster's hobbies was collecting dog figurines. His collection of over three hundred includes gifts from family, friends, and those he purchased locally and during his travels. Another hobby was taking and collecting photographs.

Buster wanted to see as much as he could of God's creations. He was blessed to have visited every state of the United States. Other travels included Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Figi, France, Freeport, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxemburg, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, and The Netherlands,

John Oliver Wallace, "Buster", passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepmother, Sadie Arnold Wallace, brothers, Ralph Howell, Leroy Howell, and Willie Howell; sisters, Annette Sadler, Rosetta Gray, Robbie Welborn, Margaret Howell, Dorothy Cockerham, and Juanita Howell; mother-like-aunts, Renia Davis, and Nellie Cathey; sister-like-cousin, Dorothy Robinson.

His presence lingers in the hearts of family and those whom he touched along his journey; first cousins, Diana C. Duncan (Albert), Carolyn D. Wallace, and Raymond Henderson (Gwendolyn); special nieces, Alice H. Johnson (Woodrow) and Shvonda Poole; special nephews, Robert Howell; best friend since 1957, Worth Williams; special cousin, George J. Morris and childhood friend, Aaron Orr; dear and loyal friends, Annie P. Turner, Sandra B. Adams, and Annette D. Gillespie; dependable and long-time neighbors, John and Carolyn Rhinehart; nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. "If I have helped somebody, then my living has not been in vain."