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Ray Daniel Pace was the quintessential southern gentleman:
gracious, friendly, warm and courteous. He was born in Russellville, AL, on 8
Jul 1930, the elder child of Ralph and Olive Pace. Ray had a younger sister
Patsy, and the two of them enjoyed the benefits of growing up in a small
southern town. He had an idyllic childhood and was a member of the local
Methodist church, where he discovered his love of music and became a member of
the church choir, singing with a warm baritone voice. Upon graduation from the
local high school, Ray attended the Florence, AL, State Teachers College for two
years until an economic squeeze forced him to consider other academic options.
Through a personal connection with the local congressman, Ray obtained an
appointment to West Point and entered the Academy on 5 Jul
1950 with the Class of 1954.
Ray sailed through his Academy years, but, being a southerner, he
had some difficulty adjusting to the harsh winter climate. In anticipation of
staying in the barracks during Plebe Christmas, Ray pitched a tent in the woods,
equipped with candles, refreshments and ground covering in preparation for
entertaining guests with some privacy. Unfortunately, a snow storm struck before
Christmas, and Ray couldn’t find the tent until the spring thaw.
As a dedicated musician, Ray sang with the Cadet Choir during his
entire four years at the Academy. Upon graduation and initial assignment to Ft.
Benning, GA, Ray continued his singing career by joining the choir at a local
Methodist church in Columbus, GA. There he met a fellow musician and choir
member, Mary Starr. These two shared a love of music and soon realized they had
a special relationship. They fell in love and were married in June 1956 in that
same Methodist church. The Paces had a son, Dan, who, while living the life of
an “Army brat,” obtained bachelor and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering
from the University of Virginia. After holding several positions in the civilian
world, son Dan ended up working for the Department of the Army.
After Ray completed initial Infantry branch training, he was
assigned to the staff of the Infantry School and remained at Ft. Benning for
three more years. He then received a remote duty tour in Iceland and, upon
completion, returned to Raleigh, NC, assigned to an intelligence unit located
there. Ray then received an overseas assignment in the early 1960s to Augsburg,
Germany, which turned out to be Ray’s and Mary’s favorite assignment. Ray served
two combat tours in Vietnam, first as a battalion executive officer in 1967 with
the 8th Cavalry and then as a staff officer in Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam
at Long Binh in 1972. He then attended the Armed Force Staff College in
Norfolk, VA, in 1968. Most of Ray’s career, however, involved assignments in the
Washington, DC, area at Ft. Belvoir, Ft. McNair and the Pentagon, serving in
various staff and command positions. For his outstanding service, Ray was
awarded three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and three Army
Commendation medals.
Upon retirement on 7 Aug 1977, Ray and Mary decided to stay in
Alexandria, VA. Ray obtained a position with the American Gas Association and
worked as a contract manager for 13 years until retiring in 1991. Mary had been
employed as an English teacher with the Fairfax County school system since 1968
while Ray was assigned in the Washington area. She continued to teach there
until retiring in 1990.
Upon both retiring, Ray and Mary pursued their many interests,
which included travel and skiing at Vail, CO, on their favorite slope. Then, in
2002, Ray was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After fighting this disease
for several years, Ray, with Mary at his side, lost the battle and died on 13
Apr 2010 in Alexandria. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington
National Cemetery on 22 Jul 2010.
Ray served his country, his family and his community with honor
and distinction. He never lost his warm, friendly smile and gracious demeanor.
His classmates lost a dear and valued friend.
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