Joseph E. Pace

Born Sept. 24, 1923, in Natchitoches, he died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center at the young age of 84. He was young at heart and in spirit. Everyone who knew him also thought he wasn't really 84. He wanted to be a Marine at the age of 15, but his Mom wouldn't hear of it. His Dad finally took him into Natchitoches and let him sign up at 16, when he was in his senior year at St. Mary's High School, knowing he was too little to be a Marine and knowing he had to be 6-feet tall and 170 pounds, and he was 5 feet 5 inches and 135 pounds. But then came Pearl Harbor, and Little Joe became a Marine. He served from Jan. 16, 1942, to Jan. 16, 1946, going from Guadalcanal to Japan, always telling his Marine buddies who talked of dying that he was going to make it out alive and he did. He received the Good Conduct Medal. The "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" slogan was always a part of his life. Everything he did in life, he did with all he had within him. And what he had within him was lots of pranks, a zest for life, lots of fun, hard work and so much love. He loved everyone he knew and everyone who knew him loved him. He was the owner of Pace's Hair Styling since 1953 and Pace's School of Beauty from 1963 to 1968. He received state and national hairdressing awards. An avid LSU fan, he bled purple and gold from 1953 until the day he died. He attended LSU for one year and graduated from a barber college and Moler Beauty College. He was a member of the Marine Corps League and American Legion. Survived by his wife of 40 1/2 years, Janice Pace; sister, Ruby Bernard; daughter, Sherry Scroggins; granddaughter, Dawn Bunch; brother-in-law, Ray Hanks and wife Judy; beloved brother-in-law, Leon Clouatre; beloved son-in-law, Jerry Scroggins; nephews, Randy Clouatre and wife Tasha, Raymond Clouatre and wife Rhonda, and Larry Bernard; nieces, Donna King and husband Chris, Diane Jones and husband Todd, Dana Jarreau and Shauna Sims. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Fred and Josephine Pace; brother-in-law, Jay Bernard; sister-in-law, Gerry Clouatre; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alcide and Laurence Hanks. He was interviewed by LPB in August for the Ken Burns documentary, "World War II-The Greatest Generation." He lived life to the fullest - every minute of every day. He was small in statue, but huge in his compassion and love of people and life and a great friend to all he knew and loved. He was the "ultimate Marine." He loved his family, his friends, which are many, his employees, his customers and his God. He said his prayers every night, not just for himself, but for everyone. There is a huge void now in the lives of those who knew and loved him. He was a very giving man to everyone he knew. Special thanks to his many friends and family and especially to Dr. John Spence McClelland who went over and beyond the limits of medicine to keep him with us as a comfortable and able human being as did Dr. William "Superman" Erwin - two great doctors and friends one rarely finds. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until Mass at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Gerald Burns, celebrant. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers will be Randy Clouatre, Raymond Clouatre, Todd Jones, Jerry Scroggins, Buddy King and Stephen Pol. Honorary pallbearers are Leon Clouatre, Dr. John Spence McClelland, Dr. William "Superman" Erwin, Dr. Charlie Mitchell, Dr. Richard Carter, Dr. Kenneth Cranor, Dr. Van "Bibb" Saye, Robert E. Reed, Andrus Bouque, Joe Dean, Lance Marchiafava, Eddie Matthews, "Smokie" Bourgeois, Tony Larrata, Kenny Sexton, Kevin Shingleton, V.J. Bella, Charlie Roberts, Mitch Marcello, Ronnie Thevenot, Mike Becnel, Stanley Triche, Sumpter B. Davis, Chris King, Mike Montagnino, Dr. Ross Denicola, Dr. "Tee" Fontenot and Rep. Steve Carter. We thank doctors McClelland and Ewin for their medical expertise, moral support and friendship. Joe Pace touched their hearts as he did everyone's. Even in death, he would say to them, "I'm fine," and give the OK signal with his hands. And the day before his death, with hand signals, he made us understand, "Bet me $100 on LSU!" Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association. "Semper Fi," Sgt. Pace, "Semper Fi."