Login

Former N. M. legislator Emmett Bryan Wall dies

Print

February 22, 1937 - February 7, 2021

Emmett Bryan Wall Jr. was Bryan to most who knew him well. Bryan was born and raised, married, had a family and owned a business in Gallup. He moved to Phoenix in the 1980s and returned home to his place of birth in the early 2000s. There he lived out his life. His last day of life, Feb. 7, was spent with his son, Vincent, who held his hand as father and son enjoyed the Super Bowl.

Bryan was the first of four children of Emmett B. and Ann P. (Schmaltz) Wall of the Grand Canyon South Rim Village. He was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Gallup on Feb. 22, 1937. His family moved to Gallup several years later. He graduated from Cathedral High in 1955 and then attended St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In 1959, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He became a Gallup businessman in 1961 when he founded, owned and managed the Holiday Nursery.

In 1963, Bryan married Molly O’Rourke. Together, they had one son, Vincent, Bryan’s pride and joy. The family lived in Gallup until Bryan sold his nursery business and the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Several years after their divorce, Bryan moved back to Gallup.

Once he moved back to Gallup, Bryan fell in love and spent the remaining 19 years of his life with his love, Rose Ferrari.

In 1972, he was elected to represent McKinley County in the New Mexico State Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives where he sponsored and passed early environmental controls dealing with water quality and sewer plant disposal.

Bryan is survived by his beloved Rose Ferrari, by his son Vincent Wall (Karol) of California and his stepdaughters, Irene and Cynthia Ferrari of Gallup and stepsons, Dominic Ferrari of Arizona and Anthony Ferrari of Nevada. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Peter Heck and Rachel Wall, as well as seven step-grandchildren: Cheray Milligan, Brandon Bell, Anthony Ferrari Jr., Angela Ferrari, Michael Ferrari, Donaven Ferrari and Bianca Ferrari. In addition, two great grandchildren: Audry Heck and Peter Heck IV and six step-great grandchildren: Logan Milligan, Alan Ferrari, Julian Ferrari, Dominic Ferrari Jr., Dreya Ferrari and Melania Ferrari. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Wall (Linda) of Arizona and two sisters, Annette Hawkins and Paulette Jensen (Dennis), both of Texas.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and good friend to many, Bryan will be missed.

The Funeral Mass was presided over by Fr. James E. Walker at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup on March 17. The family gathered for a private interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque on March 18.

In lieu of flowers, a donation check may be mailed to: Little Sisters of the Poor - Villa Guadalupe at 1900 Mark Ave., Gallup, N.M. 87301.