Johnny Marvin Pace

Marvin and Lois Pace gave birth to Johnny on September 20, 1937 in Gainesville, Texas. Johnny grew up in a musically talented family that played together throughout north Texas in the 1950s. He was a prodigy on the piano and mastered jazz early on. Johnny wanted to see the world and joined the Air Force in 1956. During the cold war he served with an elite USAF linguist unit in Germany. While serving in Europe, Johnny played piano in one of the top military jazz bands.

Johnny married and started a family in the early 1960s and in 1966 separated from the military in El Paso. After his first marriage ended, Johnny found and married the love of his life, Velma Irene Pace in 1967. Johnny and Velma were happily married and inseparable for 53 years until his passing. The family settled permanently in Austin in the mid-1970s. He retired as a lead administrator for the city.

Johnny was a kind, caring and accepting Dad. He and Velma successfully raised a loving combined family through both challenging and abundant times. Velma will always be Johnny’s VIP or Sweetie.

Johnny is preceded by his parents, Marvin and Lois Pace, sister, Putsie Pace Bradford, brother Jackie Pace and stepson George Spain. He is survived by his loving wife Velma Pace, his sister Jeanie Pace Estes and husband Don, his sons Ronny Pace and his wife Phiona, Brian Pace and his wife Janice, and Christopher Markum, his daughter Carol Pace and her husband Anh, his stepson Howard Spain and his grandchildren James, Sarah, Audrey and Christie.

A private visitation will be held for the family. To share words of comfort and memories of Johnny with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.