James "Jim" Pace

1948 - 2022

James "Jim" Pace passed away peacefully while in hospice care with the love of his life and wife of 46 years holding his hand on July 11, 2022 in Wimauma, Florida. Born on January 3, 1948 in Boonville, Indiana to Norma Jean Love and Carl Keith Pace; shortly after completion of high school Jim ventured to Florida where he competed for Ron Jon Surf Company and then played Quarterback for the University of Florida Gators. While there, he built upon his passion for art and went on to work at NASA as an illustrator. The consummate adventurer, he thirsted for the next journey, so he headed west with the goal to surf the Pacific Ocean. But then a stop in Colorado took him down a different path as he began his career in the automotive industry, where his talent for making the deal made him hugely successful. He started in Denver at Stevenson Chevrolet where he first saw Dina, to which he recounted, "I'm going to marry that woman". The Automotive industry would move them to Salt Lake City with the Larry Miller Group, New Orleans with the Benson Organization, Houston with the Giles Group, and a return back to New Orleans where he would be the General Manager and CFO for the Walker Corporate where he took great pride in the opening of their second VW dealership. During their time in New Orleans, Jim was a member of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Olympia and a board member for the Youth Services Bureau of St. Tammany Parish. While in New Orleans, Jim achieved several life goals he had set for himself: owning a sailboat, living on the beach and cherishing his talent for painting. Jim and Dina then moved to be closer to children and grandchildren in Denver; but not to be deterred from his passion for the water, they then moved to Florida to be closer to their youngest grandchildren. He passed on his love and passion for the water through fishing, painting, surfing, conservation, and the peace it brings to his family. Jim was preceded in death by Norma Jean Love (mother), Carl Keith Pace (father), and Betty Pace (stepmother). Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Dina, and their children and grandchildren; Penny, Randy, Hannah and Sarah Dirks; Patty, Cris, Camry Gill, and Nina Martinez; Shawn, Ethan, and Sofia Pace; and Heather, Graham, Abbie, and Brooklyn Wood. Jim's ashes are to be spread at the Rocky Mountain National Park on April 21, 2023 at 1 p.m. The email, jimpacememorial@gmail.com, has been set up for the family to receive memories and condolences. Also, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Youth Service Bureau of St. Tammany Parish, www.ysbworks.com.