John Pace

Our family is heartbroken to share that our beloved brother, John Pace, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

John was born on February 17, 1956, to the late R.E. and Frances Pace. His dad worked hard to raise the perfect son—but to his mom, he was always her baby. From an early age, John began helping on the farm. He also enjoyed being a member in the high school FFA, playing church league baseball, riding his motorcycle, and trying to catch the biggest fish in the pond.

He attended both the University of Kentucky and Murray State University, but he often reflected that his real education came from his electrical apprenticeship under Willard Mitchell in Pembroke, Kentucky. Willard was a wonderful mentor. John went on to earn his Master Electrician license. He retired not long ago from Stansell Electric in Nashville, Tennessee—a job he truly loved, surrounded by co-workers who became like family.

John and his siblings shared a lifelong bond. Together, they formed a close-knit team that celebrated every milestone, leaned on one another in hard times, and somehow managed to run the family farm without a single argument. The loss of their brother, Edwin, in 2021 was deeply felt, and now, with John’s passing, the family chain feels painfully incomplete.

A few years ago, John found his happy place—a cozy home at the lake. He was never happier than when grilling on the back porch, hosting game nights, and filling his home with laughter and friends.

Though he never had children of his own, John’s playful spirit made him the world’s best uncle to Seth Chambers, Kane Chambers, and Callie Viens, and to his five great-nieces and nephews. To Jacob and Caleb Jonas, he was “Papa John,” and he loved their parents, Whitney and Drew along with their Uncle Branson and Nana, Marilyn White, as his own family. He was also a steady father figure to Derrick and Tia Gibson, and a loving “Uncle John” to their boys, Ian and Zeke.

John was mischievous from the start—always joking, teasing, or telling tall tales (which he preferred to call “creative truth”). He was whip-smart, quick-witted, and never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh. But beneath that humor was a heart of gold. He showed his love through kindness, quiet help, and faith lived out every day.

John depended on the Lord and studied his Bible faithfully. He was a proud member of New Work Fellowship and the kind of person you could always count on—an anchor in any storm. His sisters, Elizabeth Jennings and Saranne Chambers, feel an unfillable void without his wisdom, humor, and calm guidance on how to handle losing him.

Please honor John’s memory by finding a church home and being a neighbor and friend to all.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at his home place—right after his family and friends finish the dream garage project he started, our last gift to him.

Collier Funeral Home & Cremation Services are entrusted with all arrangements.