Curtis Lee Pace, 63, of Lumberton, departed to be with his Savior Jesus Christ Tuesday, January 29, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont.
A native of Mississippi, he graduated from Delta State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then began a career as a business man, working as an accountant for Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline in Greenville, Mississippi, and Monroe, Louisiana.
On July 16, 1983, he married Lydia Lea DeMoss of Crowville, Louisiana. They soon transferred to Port Arthur, where he continued working for the pipeline. Curtis enjoyed teaching adult Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Groves before moving to Lumberton in 1994.
In 2003, he retired from the pipeline and to further pursue his career as an entrepreneur and soon after he also began working as a sales representative for ADT Security Systems.
Curtis obtained his professional auctioneering license in 1987 and founded Triangle Auction Company. He became involved in Ducks Unlimited as their auctioneer and sponsor.
While in Lumberton, Curtis was as a member of Woodcrest United Methodist Church and served on various committees for many years. He served as President of Monroe Jaycees from 1982-1983.
Curtis served for seven years as the Lumberton Little League Treasurer where he also was as a coach for his four sons and many other beloved young athletes. He thrived on encouraging each player to be the best athlete they could be. He was known for volunteering his time and professional auctioneering talents to help many community service organizations in the South East Texas region.
Curtis had many hobbies including baseball, supporting and attending his sons many sports activities, football, duck hunting, deer hunting, skeet shooting, attending rodeos, golf, scuba diving with his wife, spending time with family, auctioneering, and metal detector expert.
Among his many hobbies, Curtis was involved in many memberships such as Texas Auctioneers Association, member of the Masonic Lodge, Lumberton Chamber of Commerce, and Lumberton Education Foundation.
Survivors include his wife, Lydia DeMoss Pace; son, Lee Anthony Pace and his wife, Sara, of Jackson, Wyoming; sons, Logan Charles Pace and his wife, Jessica, of Atlanta, Georgia; Lance Allen Pace; and Clint Walker Pace of Lumberton; brother-in-law, David Hardy of Mt. Olive, Mississippi; nephew, Paul Hardy and his wife, Cassie, of Wiggins, Mississippi; niece, Vicki Hardy Rundlett and her husband, Kevin, of Clinton, Mississippi; Billy Wayne and Charlotte Wright of Crowville, Louisiana; Janet and Arthur Harper of Chatham, Louisiana; Mike and Vicki DeMoss of Crowville, Louisiana; Tim and Mona Martin of Calhoun, Louisiana; and a host of dearly loved nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Lee Walton; and sister, Linda Pace Hardy.
A gathering of Mr. Pace’s family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Woodcrest United Methodist Church, 1684 US Highway 96, Lumberton. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 1, 2013, at Woodcrest United Methodist Church, Lumberton, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2013, at Crowville Masonic Cemetery, Crowville, Louisiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Hughen Center, Inc, 2849 Ninth Avenue, Port Arthur, Texas 77642; Hope Center for Crisis Pregnancy, 1155 IH-10 North, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Lumberton Independent School District Education Foundation, P.O. Box 8551, Lumberton, Texas 77657; or Woodcrest United Methodist Church, 1684 US Highway 96, Lumberton, Texas 77657.
