Kenneth Murrell Pace's Obituary
Kenneth Murrell Pace
Born December 21,1928 - Died July 16, 2023
Ken was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years Margaret Marie O’Daniel in March of 2015. He was the fifth of six children born to Virgie Viola Higgins Pace and Lannus Pace, all of whom also preceded him in death.
He is survived by two daughters, Cindi Pace Townsley and Carole Pace Robertson, and their husbands Marshall Townsley, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bret Robertson, Dallas, Texas.
Ken had four granddaughters who adored him, Hannah Townsley Wyatt, Jordan Townsley Eiffert and husband David, Jana Robertson Fisher and husband Matt, Lauren Robertson Stephens and husband Mat. He also leaves eight great grandchildren who found their “Grandmimi” fascinating, Delaney and Jensen Wyatt, Grace Eiffert, Ava, Rosie, Phoenix, Luna and Elsie Fisher.
Ken graduated from Eddy High School and some years after he and Margaret were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1949. He began attending Baylor University night school while working days for Lone Star Gas Company and Margaret worked as an RN. Upon graduation from Baylor in 1959 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree he moved his family to Paris, TX and opened a service station in partnership with his brother Curtis. In 1962 he sold his portion of the business and moved his family to Big Spring, TX to pursue his career in Chamber of Commerce management. Within two years he became manager of the Taylor, TX C of C. and in 1966 he became manager of the Mesquite, TX C of C.
Kenneth believed strongly in the benefits of continuing education and completed The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU in 1973 after he entered the banking industry with the First National Bank of Mesquite. He ascended to president and chairman of the board of the bank then “retired” in 1982 at age 55 after selling the bank. Ken had soon played enough golf to know he could not go pro and was persuaded to spearhead a group of founders to establish a new hometown bank, Mesquite National, serving as president and chairman of the board from 1983 to1994. He also was proud to have served on the Board of Trustees for Dallas County Community College District for 13 years believing community college provided the opportunity for many more young and not so young people to pursue learning and prepare themselves for satisfying careers that would provide a better future for themselves and help their communities advance. To Margaret’s delight he joined her in permanent retirement in 1994 and they enjoyed traveling across the US in their 5th wheel RV and in Europe on a number of river cruises.
In an interview upon his retirement, he gave this sound advice: “The most important thing a person can have is faith in God and perseverance. Work hard in an honest way. Keep your family in a church - this is increasingly important in today’s society. To get much accomplished in life you must stay focused…”
Kenneth believed that serving his community, neighbors, Church and family was the best use of the life God had given him and we all were the blessed beneficiaries of his living out what he believed.
Special thanks to all who worked with Ken at Mesquite National and the DCCCD. He fondly remembered great times of working with all of you.
Thank you to the Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church Adult Couples Sunday School class for all the Sunday lunches and 1st Friday 42 club.
Also, to all of his golfing buddies, you kept him playing a game he loved far longer than he expected.
To the Candleberry and Borman neighbors, you guys could teach the world how to be a great neighbor.
Our sincere gratitude to Griswold Home Care - especially Gisel and the wonderful caregivers these last months.
AND to Rick and Tex, great men and wonderful neighbors who watched over him like family. Your above and beyond care and kindness enabled us immeasurably in helping our Dad achieve his final goal, living out his last days on earth at home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dallas College Foundation. All are invited to join us as we honor and celebrate Ken’s life on Wednesday, July 26 at 10:00 AM at Restland Wildwood Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243 with internment immediately following.
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