James Pace

James Michael Pace (71) of Tulsa, OK passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27, 2023. He was born on August 11, 1952 in Kirksville, MO to parents John Henry Pace, Sr. and Melcenia Elizabeth (Gaddy) Pace who lived in Hannibal, MO at the time of his birth. During his childhood and teen years, his family lived in different areas throughout Missouri including Shelbina, Joplin, Raytown, and Springfield. He graduated in the Class of 1970 from Parkview High School in Springfield, MO where he made lifelong friendships and played many games of YMCA basketball. In spite of his occasional lack of follow through on regular coursework, Jim was highly intelligent and was named a National Merit Commended Scholar. He went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla where he hung out with the "Pine Street" gang. Following graduation, Jim began his first position in a long career with Schlumberger/Dowell where he was based in Rock Springs, Wyoming; El Reno, Oklahoma; Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He subsequently worked at Twentieth Century Manufacturing as a Vice President and continued his career with Gardner-Denver Inc. and Serva Group focused on aftermarket sales management. Jim loved traveling and meeting new people and built relationships with so many of his colleagues, many of whom became wonderful friends. His colleagues remember him as funny, friendly, smart, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Jim was a loving and supportive father to his four children Jennifer, Gary, Jessica, and Michael. He enjoyed attending their sporting events, dance recitals, plays, graduations, and more. He shared his love of travel and the outdoors with them through many trips to the lake and on several vacations around the United States. As a father, he challenged his children to achieve, celebrated their successes, picked them up during struggles, and was always there to listen. His greatest joy in life were his grandchildren Olivia, Grace, and Robinson. The girls often begged for sleepovers at Papa's house where they were spoiled with late nights, treats, trips to the park, and silly Walmart trips. Robinson loved Papa's visits, silly faces, and cuddles. Jim loved to be outdoors. In his younger years, he spent many summer nights and weekends at the lake or around the pool. As he got older, he loved sitting on his back porch, smoking some meat, caring for stray cats, enjoying a nice cold beverage, watching hawks, and visiting with his 87 year old best friend and neighbor. He always enjoyed tinkering around his property, trying to fix things, messing with old cars, collecting trains, and hanging out with any dogs he could find. His family and friends will always remember Jim as fiercely loyal, loving, quick witted, compassionate, sarcastic, the life of the party, and someone who never met a stranger. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his children and sons-in-law Jennifer and Philip Faries, Gary Pace, Jessica and Deante Tolliver, and Michael Pace; grandchildren Olivia and Grace Faries and Robinson Tolliver; brothers John and Robert Pace; many nieces and nephews; and too many friends and colleagues to count. Jim is preceded in death and greeted in heaven by his parents, baby brother Jeffrey, angel baby grandson Lorenzo, and several puppies that he loved dearly including Pete, Barney, Penny, and Zoe. A visitation on Tuesday, September 5th from 5 to 7pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home Southwood Colonial Chapel. A funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6th at 1pm, in Tulsa Oklahoma

James Pace

August 11, 1952 - August 27, 2023