Arthur Luther Pace Sr.

Arthur Luther Pace, Sr. was born December 5, 1928 in Nacogdoches, TX. He passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2023. He left a legacy of excellence in Houston and Fort Bend County through his commitment to education and community service.

Mr. Pace graduated from Prairie View College (now Prairie View A&M University) with a B.S. in Biology and Education. He later attended Texas Southern University earning an M.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Counseling and Administration.

His 45-year career as an educator in the Houston Independent School District began as a teacher at Harper Elementary and Junior High School. He later taught physics and advanced physiology at Booker T. Washington High School where he served as Curriculum Coordinator and assisted with the nationwide development of an educational system (ES’70) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. ES’70 emphasized curriculum adjustments that were to be used in the development of an organic curriculum for twelve public school systems across America serving varying socio-economic communities. The Booker T. Washington High School’s school for students interested in careers in engineering was spawned by ES’70.

Subsequently, Mr. Pace was assigned to Jack Yates Senior High School. Following his tenure at Jack Yates, he accepted the position of Principal at Jesse H. Jones High School, the position of which he spoke most fondly and is most remembered. While at Jones, he implemented the Magnet Vanguard program, a program designed to serve the needs of gifted and talented students and promote student enrichment through ethnic diversification.

In 1995, Mr. Pace was promoted to District Superintendent, District III, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. His commitment to education continued as a member of the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees from 1995-2005. Additionally, he served as part-time Principal at several Houston Community College campuses, a Region IV Service Center Supervisor for internees in alternative certification, and a Mediator for the United States Postal Service Texas 2.

To serve his community, Mr. Pace was a member of the Optimist Club of Houston-South Park, The Exchange Club of Sugar Land, and the Oyster Creek Rotary Club of Missouri City. In 2016, as a Rotarian, he was honored with an educational scholarship in his name that is presented annually to a deserving student.

Mr. Pace was preceded in death by his parents Ruby Owens Pace and Arthur Pace and his beloved son Arthur “Chip” Pace, Jr. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Brown Pace, daughters Pamela Pace Dunn and Sandra Aston (Bill), daughter-in-law Dianne Walker, granddaughters Erica Brown, Asante Pace-Sanchez (Tomas), Ayesha Fuller (Darnell), and Miriam Pace, great-grandchildren, Makayla Duncan, Walker Sanchez and Mila Greenwood, cousins John Arthur Johnson, James “Jimmie” Johnson, Norma Dell Owens, and other beloved family, friends, and neighbors too numerous to name.

He was an avid golfer and a gourmet chef. His inquisitiveness fueled a thirst for learning and teaching. He remains a beacon, lighting the way for those blessed to have met him.

A Visitation for Mr. Pace will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478. A Memorial Service will occur Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Unity of Houston, 2929 Unity Dr,, Houston, TX 77057. A Committal Service will occur following the funeral in procession to Paradise Cemetery South, 2237 Cullen Blvd, Pearland, TX 77581.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.settegastkopf.com for the Pace family.