May 8, 1941- July 27, 2019
Donald was taken from us suddenly on July 27, 2019. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1941 to Dr. Donald M. Pace, Sr and Norma Holland Pace. The family then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he grew up with his two siblings, James and Norma. Donal met his wife Karen in Lincoln and they married in January of 1963. Donald introduced Nebraska football to Karen and she shared his love for it which never faded. In 1971, Donald and Karen with their daughter, Kelly, followed his parents and siblings to Stockton, CA where his father was a professor at UOP and their lives continued here. Donald worked almost 20 years in an employment agency, which closed its doors and left him without a job. This eventually led to his working for the State of California Employment Development Department as a Job Service Rep where remained until he retired in 2007. During his time with the EDD he made many friends and many have remained friends to this day.
Donald graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1966 with a B.S. in Education and in 1968 with a M.S.T. Master of Secondary Teaching Degree. He had many interests including fishing, geology and music. He loved animals and became devoted to cats. But the two interests in his life that stood out the most were his love of the soil (gardening) and weather. He loved growing things and when he moved to California he had the opportunity to help his dad out and do just that. In 1986 the family was introduced to a Bay Area Nebraska Alumni Assn. picnic and that found they had corn as part of their menu. He told them that he would like to grow the corn for the picnic the next year and he did and continued every year. This is the first year that he missed the picnic.
Donald is predeceased by his father, Dr. Donald M. Pace, Sr., his mother Norma Holland Pace, and his brother James R. Pace. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Karen, his daughter Keyll, his sister Norma Wunderlich, his brother-in-law William Wnderlich, his sisters-in-law Valerie Gearhart (James), Verlene Hobbs (Eugene), and Karlene Friesen (Clarence) and many nieces and nephews.
SERVICE
An informal celebration of his life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, August 9th, 2019 at Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
If you wish to donate in his honor, two good causes are the Humane Society and the American Cancer Society.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Pace family.
Please leave your condolences below.
