Roll Call Tribute

Dr. Tyson Wayne Wallis

June 6, 1979 - March 25, 2022

Dr. Tyson Wayne Wallis passed away unexpectedly in a helicopter training accident on Friday, March 25, 2022.

The son of Marty and Ricki Wallis, Ty was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He attended Randall High School in Canyon, Texas and was valedictorian of his graduating class. Ty's passion for the outdoors and helping others led him to a career in veterinary medicine. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station, and at the recommendation of his advisor, he attended interviews for their veterinary program during his sophomore year and was accepted into the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2004, he moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to complete a one year internship at Oakridge Equine Hospital. From there, he went on to a surgical residency and combined masters program at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He became board certified in large animal surgery in 2009 and was a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Ty partnered with Dr. Brad Hill in 2012 and co-founded Equine Athlete Veterinary Services. In 2014, he moved back home to Texas and was based in Pilot Point, where he focused on lameness, sports medicine, and orthopedic surgery of equine athletes in training centers throughout the country. Ty's intellect, deep compassion, and work ethic fueled his passion for helping horses and their people.

As passionate as Ty was for his professional pursuits, his truest passion was his wife Kristen and their nine year old daughter Hattie. Ty and Kristen met and were married in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their shared love of the outdoors and traveling took them on adventures around the world and to beaches, mountains, canyons, ski resorts, and football games, but some of their favorite things were lazy weekends out on the lake with Hattie and their friends or spending a quiet night on their patio sitting by the fire. Of all of Ty's accomplishments, he was the most proud of his daughter, Hattie. He never missed a Father-Daughter Dance or an opportunity to watch her at her horseback riding lessons, help her with her math homework, or cheer her on at gymnastics competitions, cheerleading competitions, and volleyball games.

A natural born leader, Ty was so many things to so many people. He loved life and lived like he was on borrowed time, facing every goal or challenge with unwavering determination. He was blessed with a large group of friends who shared his enthusiasm, and they enjoyed golfing, fishing, wake surfing, hunting, mountain biking, and good bourbon.

In addition to his friends, family, and clients, Ty was passionate about flying. He became a skilled pilot who loved the freedom of the skies, and its ability to allow him to see patients more efficiently, and, most importantly, reduce his time away from his beloved Kristen and Hattie.

Ty is survived by his wife, Kristen, their daughter Hattie, mother Ricki Wallis, father Marty Wallis, grandmother Vonna Lueders, uncle Kelly Lueders, aunt Celine Lueders all of Amarillo, aunt Kendra Wallis and uncle Mike Brand of Arlington, cousins Megan O'Neall, Zoe Wallis, Jayna Lueders, and Zach Lueders. Preceded in death by grandfathers Eddie Lueders and Wayne Wallis and grandmother Jeanne Wallis all of Amarillo.

A memorial will be held at Midway Church on Saturday, April 2 followed by a celebration of life at the Wallis farm. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to The Friends of Vail Foundation.