James Franklin Mace

James Franklin Mace entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Jim was born in Spencer, West Virginia on July 3rd, 1932. He was born to Eugene and Mabel Mace and grew up in Sandyville, West Virginia. He attended a one room school house in the 7th grade and graduated from Gilmore High School, lettering in varsity basketball. He was proud to say that he never took a book home. Jim met his wife Charlotte, in school, and when she was old enough to date he said, "After I took Charlotte out, I never took anyone else out."

He enjoyed riding his pony, as a child, and helping to care for the farm animals with his father. He recently remarked that he once received, for Christmas, a brand new bridle for his pony which was a gift he was very thankful for. "It was a good life in the country."

He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky serving in the 17th Infantry and was honorably discharged.

Jim's dream was to move to Ohio and he accomplished that by first working in Lorain, Ohio at Fruehauf Trailer Corporation. He continued his career at the E.W. Bliss Company, the Pennsylvania Crusher Corporation, Akron Gear & Engineering, Inc., Meritor, Inc., and American Standard Brands. He retired from Babcock & Wilcox Company, with the highest regards for that company. Every business that he was employed, he held a special work ethic of integrity and productivity. He was well known for the "3 piece suit", in those days, never wanting to "dress down" on Fridays.

He loved tending to his home and mowing grass on his 5 acres, in Canal Fulton, Ohio, with his John Deere tractor. A restoration, on an antique John Deere, will be completed in Heaven.

Horsemanship goes back four generations to the thoroughbred race horse, and Jim enjoyed raising, training and showing his Hackney show ponies earning many awards and a Grand Champion Award, at the Ohio State Fair, in fine harness driving competition. He was proud to drive his Hackney stallion Kress, whom he had raised.

Jim first went to college when he was 70 years old at Stark State Technical College and studied CAD Design earning the highest grade. Education was important to him; he wanted to read and learn all that he could in the many aspects of life.

Jim sacrificed for, worked hard for and cared for his family. It was so important to him to take his family to church to hear and learn the word of God. He loved the phrase, from the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Shall Be Done" believing it wholeheartedly. His faith was important to him. He always stated, "We are not to question why, but to look for the message." Thank you Dad for all that you did for us; we are beyond grateful.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Gene nicknamed Butch 12 years his junior, his wife Charlotte, his second wife Edna, his first granddaughter, Jennifer and his canine companions, Shannon and Madisyn. What a glorious reunion at Heaven's Gates.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Pamela (Jeff), Felisha (Todd), Heidi (Denny) and son, Gary (Judy), grandchildren Jennifer, Andrea, Kyle, Chara (Jimmy), Scott (Kristy), Lindsay (Robert), Charla (Craig), Jessica (Jason), Abby (Jay) and Tina (Mike), great grandchildren Tyler (Rachel), Breanna (Tanner), Brittany (Trent), Colton, Caden, Aurora, Bailey (Matt), Riley (Austin), Braydon, Hailey, Ethan (D'Lany), Carter (Mariah), Cole, Charlotte, Casen, Jamisen, Jensyn, Brad, Zander, Zaiden, Landon, Zavion, Eddie and Mack Great Great Grandchildren: Kaleb, Kailynn, Rylee, Emma and baby Myles due in January, 2026. He was affectionately called Great PaPa by Colton and Caden.

The family wishes to thank Brookdale Senior Living, Dad's home since 2018, for the friendship and the compassionate care during his final days.

When you join us to celebrate our Father's life, you may wear something blue, in his honor.

"The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26.

Funeral Services will be held MONDAY, November 24, 2025, 12:00pm (Noon) at the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, 624 Cherry St. E. (Rt. 93) Canal Fulton, Joseph Kampert, M. Div. Chaplain officiating. Final resting place Sunset Hills Burial Park on Everhard Rd. in Canton, Ohio. Visitation MONDAY 10:00am to 12:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the American Hackney Horse Society, 115 Park St., Suite 101, Versailles, KY 40383.