James Trigg Pace, 102, Glasgow, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the T J Samson Community Hospital. A native of Barren County, he was the son of the late Harry Taylor Pace and Annie Kincheloe Pace.
After graduating high school, Mr. Pace became a student at Western Kentucky University. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Pace joined millions of Americans in the rush to enlist in the military as the U.S. entered WWII. He eventually graduated from navigation school in Dec., 1943, and was shortly thereafter assigned to the 489th Heavy Bombardment Group flying B-24 Liberators. Following additional group training, the 489th was made operational and sent to England in April, 1944 as part of the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force. There, he flew 27 combat missions, including his second mission on D-Day, rising in rank to 1st Lt. all the while earning the DFC among other citations.
Following the end of the war, Mr. Pace joined the local Army National Guard Unit, the 623 rd Field Artillery Battalion, where he was a Battery Commander with the rank of Captain. He served on Active duty with the 623rd FAB during the Korean War for approx. 18 months, 6 of which he was deployed to Korea in combat with the U.S.-led U.N. forces defending South Korea.
In civilian life, Mr. Pace became involved in the banking industry which lasted until his retirement. He served in many capacities beginning with the New Farmers National Bank in 1946 and then eventually becoming president of Citizens Bank & Trust Co. He was also involved in numerous civic activities which included being a member of the Glasgow Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons: Jimmie Reid Pace and wife Donna of Nashville, TN and Douglas Grimes Pace and wife Paula of Greenwood, IN; four grandchildren: Scott Pace, Thomas Pace, Nathaniel Pace, and Tonya Pace Clemons; four great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and one nephew, Billy Pace Young of Florida.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Margaret Grimes Pace; one brother Harry Reid Pace; and one sister Mary Ann Pace Young.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home. Burial with military honors provided by Glasgow Chapter 20 DAV will be in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be after 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy are requested to the American Alzheimer’s Association.