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Homer Pace, age 95, died on April 12, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 31, 1919 in Monticello, AR. He was a 1939 graduate of Drew Central High School, a World War II veteran and a 1949 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BS in Agriculture.
Upon graduation from Drew Central, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1939 to 1941 before entering the United States Army in 1942 at Camp Robinson. During his time in the Army, he completed training as a Pharmacy Technician reaching his final ranking of Technician Fifth Grade, 154th General Hospital of the medical corps. He served in England during World War II and was honorably discharged from Fort Chaffee in 1945.
He attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1949 with a BS degree. After graduation he began teaching at Portland before moving to teach veterans in Decatur, Arkansas. After teaching veterans in Huntsville, Arkansas, he taught in Grapevine, Rison, Cotton Plant, Warren and Wilmar. In all he taught for 14 years in the field of Agriculture and was certified to teach agriculture, chemistry and biology.
A retired postal worker, he served as Postmaster in Wilmar before transferring positions to Wilmar’s rural carrier where he retired in 1983 after 21 years of service.
Having numerous positions and affiliations, he served as Lions Club President, Drew County Farm Bureau Board President, a Farm Bureau Board member since 1957, Drew County Fair Board President for 21 years and 34 years on the Fair Board. He also served as the Arkansas State Singing Convention President. He was a member of the Drew County School Board, the PTA, American Legion, a 50 year member of the United Commercial Travelers and a Drew Central Hall of Fame member. He was a member of the Green Hill Methodist Church.
He enjoyed farming, often selling his goods from his back patio where people from all over would come to purchase vegetables and visit, most would generally leave with more than they purchased as he would always have them take a watermelon. He enjoyed sitting on the back patio with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling from state to state to attend annual gospel singings. He was raised on gospel music and taught it to his family as his father had taught them.
Homer Pace was preceded in death by his father, William Alonzo (Lonnie) Pace and his mother, Susie Agnes Wigley Pace; five brothers, Bill Pace, Herman Pace, Woodrow Pace, Bo Pace and Rastus Pace; one sister, Gaynell Pace and one great-granddaughter, Peyton Self.
Homer is survived by his wife of 63 years, Aneta; five children, Gay Young and husband Mike, Joy Lawson and husband Danny and Gary Pace and wife Becky, all of Wilmar, Tommy Pace and wife Linda of White Hall and Grant Pace and wife Gay of Monticello; four sisters, Louise Barnes, Faye Wiggam and husband Don and May Hobbs, all of Wilmar and Cleora Crook of Monticello; one sister-in-law, Leola Pace of Wilmar; eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
He loved his family and was always thankful for his many friends.
Upon graduation from Drew Central, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1939 to 1941 before entering the United States Army in 1942 at Camp Robinson. During his time in the Army, he completed training as a Pharmacy Technician reaching his final ranking of Technician Fifth Grade, 154th General Hospital of the medical corps. He served in England during World War II and was honorably discharged from Fort Chaffee in 1945.
He attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1949 with a BS degree. After graduation he began teaching at Portland before moving to teach veterans in Decatur, Arkansas. After teaching veterans in Huntsville, Arkansas, he taught in Grapevine, Rison, Cotton Plant, Warren and Wilmar. In all he taught for 14 years in the field of Agriculture and was certified to teach agriculture, chemistry and biology.
A retired postal worker, he served as Postmaster in Wilmar before transferring positions to Wilmar’s rural carrier where he retired in 1983 after 21 years of service.
Having numerous positions and affiliations, he served as Lions Club President, Drew County Farm Bureau Board President, a Farm Bureau Board member since 1957, Drew County Fair Board President for 21 years and 34 years on the Fair Board. He also served as the Arkansas State Singing Convention President. He was a member of the Drew County School Board, the PTA, American Legion, a 50 year member of the United Commercial Travelers and a Drew Central Hall of Fame member. He was a member of the Green Hill Methodist Church.
He enjoyed farming, often selling his goods from his back patio where people from all over would come to purchase vegetables and visit, most would generally leave with more than they purchased as he would always have them take a watermelon. He enjoyed sitting on the back patio with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling from state to state to attend annual gospel singings. He was raised on gospel music and taught it to his family as his father had taught them.
Homer Pace was preceded in death by his father, William Alonzo (Lonnie) Pace and his mother, Susie Agnes Wigley Pace; five brothers, Bill Pace, Herman Pace, Woodrow Pace, Bo Pace and Rastus Pace; one sister, Gaynell Pace and one great-granddaughter, Peyton Self.
Homer is survived by his wife of 63 years, Aneta; five children, Gay Young and husband Mike, Joy Lawson and husband Danny and Gary Pace and wife Becky, all of Wilmar, Tommy Pace and wife Linda of White Hall and Grant Pace and wife Gay of Monticello; four sisters, Louise Barnes, Faye Wiggam and husband Don and May Hobbs, all of Wilmar and Cleora Crook of Monticello; one sister-in-law, Leola Pace of Wilmar; eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
He loved his family and was always thankful for his many friends.