Search on for man missing in mountains

A South County man described as an experienced hunter was missing Tuesday after failing to return from a weekend trip to the mountains.

A massive ground-and-air search-and-rescue effort is continuing for Ronald Steven Wallace, 49, of Porterville.

Wallace was last seen early Sunday near Johnsondale at Thompson Campground, the Tulare County SheriffÂ’s Department and family members said. He was believed to be on his way to Porterville when he was last seen, the SheriffÂ’s Department said.

Carlene Wallace, who works at the Child Development Center at Porterville College, said Tuesday her husband was on a weekend trip with their two sons in an area he has known since he was a child. She said he left the campsite Sunday morning at daybreak "and nobodyÂ’s seen him since."

"We do a lot of hunting and camping together as a family," she said. "I was going to go up there with him this weekend but I couldnÂ’t because I had school on Sunday. IÂ’m going to college."

Carlene Wallace said her husband knows the area exceedingly well and would make his presence known if he could do so.

"He was raised up there with his dad," she said. "He knows that mountain up and down. If he was broke down he would have walked out. I think he might have had an accident."

Carlene Wallace said her husband takes medication for high blood pressure, but does not have that medication with him. He also has no cell phone. She said he had food in his truck when he left the campsite, so if heÂ’s still with the vehicle he has access to some food.

Ronald Wallace is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. He has gray hair and green eyes. He was driving a dark gray and light gray Ford F350 four-door pickup, California license plate No. 5K77661.

Carlene Wallace described the intense search that’s currently taking place — led by the Sheriff’s Department.

"They set up a search and rescue," she said. "TheyÂ’re posted at R Ranch in Johnsondale. TheyÂ’ve had helicopters going in and out. TheyÂ’ve had quads. TheyÂ’ve had people on foot."

Carlene Wallace said the search began with family members and friends scouring the area between Porterville and Johnsondale until authorities took the lead after a missing person report was filed at 6 a.m. Monday.

As of late this afternoon, she said no sign of her husband or his vehicle was found.

This weekÂ’s search has included family members and friends, as well as coworkers. Ronald Wallace works for Robert Volmer Excavation. Carlene Wallace said the company has thrown its resources into the mix, sending in five work crews and trucks to help in the search.

The combined effort has touched the Wallace family.

"ItÂ’s hard to think about something like this when it happens, how many friends you have because theyÂ’re all there with you," Carlene Wallace said.

Carlene and Ronald Wallace celebrated their 30th anniversary Aug. 6. They have three children, two sons and a daughter. All three are taking part in the search.

The family matriarch spoke to The Recorder Tuesday afternoon as she was leaving to join the search effort for her husband.

"I need to feel his presence," she said, "and I know if I go up there I can feel it."

Anyone who has seen Wallace or his truck is asked to call the SheriffÂ’s Department at 733-6218 or toll free, (800) 808-0408.

Contact Glen Faison at 784-5000, Ext. 1040, or gfaison@portervillerecorder.com.