Tom Pace

Lt. Col. Ray T. Pace, USMC, Retired, known to his family and friends as Tom, was born on December 8, 1937, in Los Angeles County, California. He got to Texas as quickly as he could and was raised in Amarillo, TX, where he graduated from Amarillo High School. 

He died on February 11, 2024, in Nederland, TX surrounded by his three children and his wife of 62 years, Hazel Mae (Tripp) Pace. Tom played football for Texas Tech where he met the love of his life, Hazel, and they were married on March 31st, 1961. He graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in finance and began a 23 year career with the United States Marine Corps, serving his country proudly in Vietnam and at home. He received many medals for his service including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He achieved a Master’s degree in Education from Pepperdine University as well. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps as a Lt. Colonel, he worked with a fellow marine restoring homes in old town Alexandria for a couple of years before deciding to return to his roots, moving to Odessa to serve Ector County as its Fiscal Services Director for over 20 years. Tom was appointed by then Governor George W. Bush to serve as one of the first commissioners on the newly formed Texas State Board of Risk Management. He served on the Ector County School Board and was the president of that organization during part of his tenure. He was incredibly proud to receive the Heritage of Odessa Foundation Award for Excellence in Community Service in the government category in 1989. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Odessa and acted as an elder and deacon for many years. Tom was described by the people who knew him as a truly gentle giant who cared for his family, friends and his community in whatever capacity that was needed. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Dick Smotherman, and Ray and Ethel Pace, and his sister Linda Sanders. 

He is survived by his wife Hazel Mae (Tripp) Pace, his children Ray T. Pace, II of Port Neches, TX, Barbara Suzanne and Stephen Hirst of Odessa, TX and Deborah Kathleen & Matthew Tokheim of Nederland, TX; his grandchildren, Kevin Tokheim of Portland, OR, Jonathan and Jessica Hirst of Midland, TX, Nathan and McKenzie Tokheim of Johnson City, TN, Christopher Tokheim of Dallas, TX, Kaitlin Mae Hirst and Zachary Marshall Hirst of Odessa, TX; his sister, Sara Ann Ramsey of Amarillo, TX and his sister in law, Barbie Olson of Flower Mound, TX. In addition, he is survived by three great granddaughters who entertained him with their antics, Olivia Mae and Amelia Jade Hirst, and Rosalind Paige Hicks. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. 

The viewing will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa, TX The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 3 pm at Connection Christian Church, 4241 Tanglewood Ln, Odessa, TX. There will be a graveside service immediately following.