Gayle Pace

Gayle Marvin Pace, loving father, grandfather and great grandfather was born December 30, 1928 and passed away on September 2, 2011 from complications with cancer. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Ann. He is survived by his sons, Garry, David, Corey and his daughter Patricia Visser. He is also survived by his 18 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren.

Gayle was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Marvin Edward and Florence Clark Pace. The family moved to Orange County where Gayle graduated from Santa Ana High School. Gayle attended UCLA where he graduated in 1952 He played baseball and football. He was awarded to the All American football squad his senior year. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs Baseball team but decided to play professional football for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in 1952.

He also served in the United States Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1951.

Gayle and Betty Ann wanted to start a family and decided that it would be better if Gayle was closer to home. So after a year of professional football, Gayle returned home and began his career with the Blue Diamond Corporation. He soon had an opportunity to go into business for himself with his partners Jack and Harry Ross. They founded Pace Ross Company, Inc. which distributed and installed specialty building materials in the Southern California Area. Gayle later worked in the insurance industry from which he retired in 2010 at the age of 82.

Gayle served in many different capacities in his community, church and industry. He was President of the Building Industry Association in Los Angeles, and served in many other roles in that organization. He served many years in church callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, such as Sunday School President, teacher, Priest Quorum Advisor, Elders Quorum President, Bishopric and High Councilman. He also was a coach in many of his children’s athletic endeavors which brought him much joy.

Gayle has left a legacy of dedication, hard work and love to which his children have come to appreciate and use as guidence and strength in their lives. He will be greatly missed but he is now with his beloved wife, Betty Ann. He missed her much in these last few years and felt that he was not complete without her. They are reunited again in Heaven. We all look forward to seeing them again and know we will because of the great gift of Eternal Life through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.