John William Pace, 87, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away on January 12, 2019. He was born on August 15, 1931 in McLoud, Oklahoma to William H. and Ruby (Fricks) Pace. He graduated from Norris City High School, Norris City, Illinois, in 1949, after which he was drafted and served in the Marine Corps as a company clerk during the Korean War at the Kunsan Air Force Base. Upon returning home he married Betty Ruth Mullen on May 21, 1954 at Quincy, Illinois. He moved to Florida in 1970 and was employed by Unisource until he retired. He was an avid photographer and loved to travel. Hobbies included woodworking, leather crafting, and crossword puzzles. He enjoyed everything baseball, but especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, Orange Park, Florida and sang in the choir.
He is survived by his children: Gayle (David) Jones, Terri (Ronnie) Sistrunk, Randy Pace (Shirlene); sisters Irene Eubanks, Dora Lee Haynes, Frannie Reynolds, and Mary Ellen Mullen; grandchildren: Beth, Michael, and Amanda Jones, Shawn Pace, and Jonathan Sistrunk: great-grandchildren: Joshua Jones, Sara Jones, Samuel Jones, and Gaelan Jones-Pace, Riley Pace, and Max Pace, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 49 years, brother Cloy William Pace, sisters Elaine Pace and June Elliott.
The family will receive friends at the Hardage-Giddens Holly Hill Funeral Home, 3601 Old Jennings Rd Middleburg, FL 32068, on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 6 to 8 pm. Graveside service will be held at Holly Hill Memorial Park, Friday, January 18, 2019 at 11 am. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Orange Park Church of the Nazarene, 3212 Moody Road, Orange Park with Rev. Crystal Riner officiating, on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 6pm.
