Tommy D. Pace

Tommy was born on December 31, 1922, in Swift, Texas. He was the son of Barron Dee Pace and Alene Bentley Pace. He lived his entire life in Nacogdoches County. At a very young age he began helping his family in the farming business. By the time he was a teenager he was borrowing money from the bank to grow crops of watermelons. He peddled his watermelons as far away as Shreveport, La. He was a graduate of Nacogdoches High School. During his teenage years he met Tommie Ruth Whatley. On November 7, 1942, they were married. In 1943, he was drafted into the United States Army. He trained in Fort Reno, Oklahoma. S/Sgt. Pace proudly served his country in India, Burma, and China during World War II. After the war, Tommy, Tommie Ruth, and son, Mike, settled in Melrose, Texas. In the next few years the couple had a daughter, Marsha, and built a home. Here he lived the rest of his life. He raised watermelons, that he sold in the Gulf Coast Region, built chicken houses and raised chickens and raised cattle.

Tommy was a member of Melrose Baptist Church and served on various boards in Nacogdoches County.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 73 years, Tommie Ruth; daughter, Marsha Pace Meador and husband Charles of Melrose; daughter in- law, June Pace of Melrose; grandsons, Alan Pace and wife Debra of Mississippi, Jeff Pace of Nacogdoches, and Mark Meador of Melrose; granddaughters, Stacy Triana and husband James of Melrose, Charise Carl and husband Bruce of Nacogdoches, Rebecca Wells and husband C.W. of Woden, and Cindy Parmer and J.R. Barrett of Nacogdoches; and numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, B.D. Pace and Alene Pace; sisters, Lucy Pace Koonce and Audrey Pace Flowers; and son, Thomas Michael Pace.

The family would like to recognize Dr. B.W. Henderson and Hospice of East Texas for their help and kindness during Mr. Pace’s illness.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.

Your online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.