Chief Tony Pace
1948—2011
Chief Joel Anthony “Tony” Pace, well known resident of Moscow, U. S. Veteran and retired Chief of Police for the City of Moscow died Wednesday evening, April 13, 2011 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Collierville where he had been a patient of one day.
He was 63 years of age and died following an extended illness.
Celebration of Life Services for Chief Pace were conducted at 10 A. M. Saturday, April 16
th
at Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland
with Rev. Dr. Claude Smithmier, Rev. John Smithmier and Rev. Rhesa Davis, officiating
. Following the Funeral Ceremony, a large number of local area law enforcement officers lead a lengthy procession of family members and friends to the Town of Moscow City Hall for fellowship and refreshments honoring the memory of Chief Pace. Interment with Military Honors were conducted at 11 A. M. Tuesday, April 19
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at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis.
Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes—West Chapel of Oakland.
Chief Pace was born March 2, 1948 in Selmer, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emma Kathryn Bond Pace and Joseph Sylvester Pace. Chief Pace was educated in the Memphis City Public School System and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He married May 21, 1971 the former Rebecca Smithmier, CEO for Research Strategies of Memphis, who survives.
Chief Pace served as the Chief of Police for Moscow for 13 years, before his retirement in 2010. He was a graduate of the Police Academy in Pearl, MS and was a retired Judge for Fayette County. He was a member of numerous law enforcement organizations that included the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Pace served as a mentor to other law enforcement officers in Fayette County and surrounding areas.
A Christian who adored his grandchildren and family, Chief Pace enjoyed fellowship with friends at area casinos. Hunting and yard work were favorite pastimes in earlier years and he looked forward to special times with his wife, family and friends.
Survivors of Chief Pace include his wife of 39 years,
Rebecca Smithmier Pace
and their sons: Christopher Pace of Moscow, Glen A. Pace, Sr. and his beloved daughter-in-law, Christy of Collierville; his son: Joel Woodford of Memphis; a sister: Cathy Matthews (Buddy) of Memphis: three brothers: George A. Pace (Reene’) of Williston, Mike Pace (Cindy) of Pelham, AL, Terry Pace (Mickey) of Olive Branch, MS and three grandchildren: Matthew, Heather, and Glen Allen “Boo” Pace, all of Collierville.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Clifford Atkins, Willie Jackson, Tony Kennon, John Moynihan, Neal Pope, Joe Prescott, Danny Walk and Allen Wilkerson.
Honorary casketbearers were Jason Bivens, Herb Brewer, Ray Garcia, Chris Wilhite and Mike Wilhite.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38115,
www.stjude.org
.
www.peeblesfuneralhome.com