James Richard Brace

Dick Brace, born James Richard Brace took off on his final flight on August 5, 2024; the former Navy and commercial pilot died from Lewy Body Dementia at home in hospice care.

From humble beginnings, Dick was a man of few wants and few passions, but he got what he wanted most, and did the things he did well, with gusto, and for a lifetime.

Born August 15, 1935, in Akron, OH, to Betty and Harold Brace, Dick was raised in Walker, WV, and educated in a tiny schoolhouse in Appalachia, where hours of strict penmanship practice led to a lifetime of beautiful handwriting. While Dick loved the beauty of the West Virginia mountains, seeing how hard his father worked just to scrape by as a West Virginia homesteader motivated him to reach farther.

That journey started with a full ROTC scholarship to Oklahoma University, where he graduated with an aeronautical engineering degree in 1957; he served as a Navy pilot, including tours in Vietnam, leaving the service as a Lieutenant before embarking on an almost 30-year career at United Airlines, retiring as a captain in 1995.

When Dick’s feet were on the ground, he let his voice soar to the clouds. From his cheerleader days at Parkersburg High School to joining his first church choir in the early 1970s, music and singing in the choir were always a part of his life, and he could always hit the bass notes. Dick was an accomplished bridge player and skier – joining the Silver Streaks Club of Waterville Valley after moving to New Hampshire.

Dick’s life also included a few flights of fancy, most of them inspired and shared with his wife Paulette, who he met at New Milford Congregational Church. Upon his retirement, they headed for the hills of Campton, NH, where the lifestyle took Dick back to his Appalachian roots, but the people and the arts community fed his and Paulette’s spirit.

For all of his time in the air, Dick was grounded in family. He showed a deep respect and admiration for his ancestors, adored his children and was a loving and involved stepfather. He was a vocal liberal Democrat, who was always ready to engage in a good discussion about democracy and current events.

He is survived by his wife Paulette Carrington Brace – with whom he had just celebrated his 40th anniversary – He was predeceased by his brother Ronald but survived by Ron’s wife Cindy Brace of Deltona, FL, daughters Jill Brace O’Neill of Foxborough, MA, and Robin Brace of New Haven, CT, as well as by his stepchildren: Erin Carrington and Warren Sparks of Kalaheo, HI, Shawn and Holly Carrington of Riverside, CA, and Ryan Carrington of Woodbury, CT. Dick also cherished his grandchildren -- Madeleine and Colin O’Neill; Ianna McCord; Rosemary and Christian Carrington; Eric Sparks; Jackson, Destiney, Serenity and Robert Carrington; and Alexandra and Chase Carrington, and he was tickled by having four great grandchildren, Brooklynn, Rylynn, Sterling and Thea McCord. He had a special relationship with his nephews John and Greg Brace, half-sisters Carol Gerbrand, CA, Linda Gosnel and Cindy Broenner, OH. Last but not least, Dick will be sorely missed by Lucy, the family dog.

SERVICES: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Plymouth, NH. Dick enjoyed flowers but he loved his church, so in lieu of flowers, please support the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH 03264.