Ronald Thornton Pace Obituary (1927

Heavenly Father called home one of his special spirits on Dec. 14, 2018, surrounded by his family in his home. Ron was 5 days short of his 91st birthday, and died of natural causes. He was born Dec. 19, 1927 to Max A. Pace and Sylvia Mae Thornton, in Parowan Utah. He graduated from Las Vegas Nevada High School in 1946 and immediately enrolled in the Navy at the conclusion of WWII. He was assigned to Aircraft Development Squadron “Two,” stationed at Norfolk Virginia. He was one of the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators in the U.S. Military. At the conclusion of his Navy service he started his undergraduate studies at BYU and UNR. He was then called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Johannesburg South Africa Mission. After his 2 ½ year mission he returned to Las Vegas, where he met his “Sweet-Heart,” Sandra Dee Stewart. They were married on Nov. 24, 1953 in the St. George LDS Temple. He finished his Master’s degree in Animal Science at BYU, and then asked to manage the Las Vegas LDS Church dairy and welfare farm. He was then recruited by the BYU animal science department and held numerous positions until his retirement in 1997. His positions and accomplishments were: student dairy manager, President of the Stockman’s club, BYU livestock judging team; BYU Rodeo coach−and achieved national attention when they won the National College Rodeo Championship, became the National College Rodeo President; developed the BYU Equitation program with the assistance of his wife, Sandra; and became renowned as a premiere horse specialist for the school and community. In 2010, he received the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) 50-year Legacy Breeder award at Amarillo, Texas. Ron was a faithful member of The Church and served in numerous callings, including Bishop for 7 ½ years. He wants everyone to know how much he loves his and our Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for Christ is only equaled by his love for Sandra. Ron is survived by his only brother, Kyle T Pace; his wife of 65 years, Sandra Dee Stewart; 7 of their 8 children, Layne (Teresa Robinson), Susan passed away in 1999 in a tragic accident (Mike Scott), LaMont (Karolann Fillmore), JoDee (David Steel), Gregory (SueAnne Jolley), Weston (Marti Wiscombe), Rande (Janice Ault), and Jeena (Wade Woolstenhulme). His posterity includes 33 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan, and granddaughter, Michele Tucker. The family would like to thank the excellent care given to Ron by the Envision Home Health & Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the LDS Humanitarian Aid. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the Lakeside 2nd Ward Chapel, 2530 West 200 South, Provo, Utah, Friends may visit with the family at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Tuesday, December 18 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Wednesday from 9-10:40 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Benjamin Cemetery, Benjamin, Utah. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.