Remembering Samuel Lee Pace, Sr.: A Life of Service and Love in Pensacola

Last updated: July 27, 2026

We mourn the passing of Samuel Lee Pace, Sr., who left us on July 23, 2026, at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family. Samuel, known as Sam, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, whose life was marked by deep family ties and community involvement.

Born on November 27, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, Sam was the son of Earl and Mary Pace. He faced significant family losses, including the passing of his parents, his daughter Mary Ellen Pace Hatch, his brother William Earl Pace, Jr., and his sister Mary Jane Pace Strong. Despite these hardships, Sam’s capacity for love and kindness remained strong.

Sam shared a remarkable 64-year marriage with his high school sweetheart, Judy Lynn Busby Pace. Their bond began in their teenage years and flourished into a family that included their son Lee (Steffanie) Pace, daughters Mary Ellen (Bill) Pace Hatch, and Katie (Ryan) Pace Wassil. Sam was also a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren and a great-grandfather to Teddy Caramillo-Hatch, who brought much joy to his life.

Sam’s educational journey began at Central High School in Memphis, graduating in 1958. He later earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Tennessee Tech University and a Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. His career included significant contributions to NASA’s Langley Research Center, where he worked on the Apollo Lunar Module’s landing gear, and he later led his father’s business, Memphis Pattern. He also served as a design engineer for International Harvester and held various roles in the foundry industry.

As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Sam dedicated his life to pastoral service, impacting numerous congregations with his guidance and unwavering faith. His warm personality and sense of humor endeared him to many.

In retirement, Sam and Judy moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he attended his grandson’s sporting events and became a familiar face at Pensacola Catholic football games. Sam was known for his love of water gardening, breeding German shepherds, and his fondness for local dining options like Chinese buffets and Whataburger.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 30, 2026, with visitation at 11 AM and the service at 12 PM at the First United Methodist Church, located at 6 E Wright St, Pensacola, FL 32501. A graveside service will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Pensacola, honoring Sam’s commitment to faith and community.

Sam Pace’s legacy of love, strength, and faith will continue to shine through the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.