Howard Rufus “Buddy” Pace, 74, of Lumberton, Texas, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at his residence. He was born March 8, 1938 in Summerville to the union of his parents, Rufus and Thelma Ainsworth Pace. Buddy was a retired heavy equipment operator in Local 450 and proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a long time resident of Lumberton. Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, at Farmer Funeral Home in Silisbee, Texas. Interment followed in the R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery under direction of Farmer Funeral Home of Silisbee. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Billy Roy Pace; and a sister, Ada Faye Pace. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Virginia “Ginny” Pace of Lumberton; two sons, Dale Howard Pace and wife Maleah of Fond Du Lac, WI, and Mark Howard Pace and wife Penny of Lumberton, TX; sister, Nadia Ferrington and husband James of Jena; and six grandchildren, Collin, Kevin, Seth, Eric, Brooke, and Alana.