Darryl Edward Pace

Darryl Edward Pace was born August 10, 1938, in Palestine, Texas, to George Edward Pace and Gracie Elizabeth Skeen Pace. At the age of 11, he made a commitment to follow Christ and was baptized at a small country church in Neches, Texas.

An only child, he took very seriously the care of his mother after his parents' divorce, working after school to help meet the family's needs. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1956 and immediately entered the Air Force in order to further provide for his mother.

He spent 8 years in the Air Force, serving in locations across the globe, from Guam to Greenland, Alaska and Wyoming. His final assignment was at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, where he met his future wife Sharah Cain on a date arranged by her roommate. She gave her roommate specific instructions for her "perfect" man, and Darryl was everything she had asked for. They were married on January 4, 1964, celebrating their 62nd anniversary 2 days before his homegoing.

They lived in Austin for several years, with Darryl finding work at a tool manufacturing company after his honorable separation from the Air Force. They later moved to Tyler, Texas, where he managed a gas station for a short time but found good jobs scarce.

The couple next moved to Dallas before welcoming the birth of their first child, Melany Lizabeth. Their son Timothy Darryl was born two and a half years later. During these years, Darryl worked as a water meter reader then a public service officer assisting the police. From there, he was inspired to sign on with the City Marshall's office – a branch of the Dallas Police Department – putting in 25 years before his retirement.

During his years as a warrant officer, the family moved to Quinlan and then Royse City, needing a safer environment in which to raise their children. Darryl continued to serve with the City of Dallas while furthering his education at Eastfield College, receiving his Associate's Degree. Darryl was awarded the City of Dallas Commitment to Excellence Award in 1987, and upon his retirement in 1993, he was honored with a celebration hosted by the City Marshalls' office and his badge number was retired.

In retirement he enjoyed spending time with his wife and multiple animals on their 15-acre farm until the work became too much for them. After downsizing and moving closer to Rockwall, they enjoyed hosting their grandchildren for multiple visits and serving faithfully at First Baptist Church, Rockwall.

Darryl was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Sharah, daughter and son-in-law Melany and Ron Ethridge, and son and daughter-in-law Tim and Amy Pace; grandchildren Nathan (and wife Taylar) and Aaron Ethridge, Austin (and wife Sarah) and Kaleigh Pace, and John and Eric Schmitz; and great-grandchildren Gabriel Broadhead, Rowan Ethridge and Olivia Pace. A devoted husband, cherished father, proud grandfather, and faithful servant of Christ, Darryl lived a life marked by love, humility and unwavering faith.