Thomas Marshall Pace, age 91, died Monday, July 4, 2016. He passed away at home with his family at his side.

He was born in Pensacola in 1925, the son of Ashley DeWitte and Grace Owen Pace. Tom was a life long resident of Pensacola, except for four years spent in Savannah, Ga. as a child. Tom graduated from Pensacola High School, and enrolled in Duke University where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1946. While in college, Tom sang with the Duke Glee Club, ultimately performing a live radio show from New York with Perry Como. After returning home from school, Tom worked as a disc jockey at WCOA radio, and then formed Gulf Paper Company with his brother Dick to manufacture food containers and paper shipping boxes. Tom invented the zip open carton, and held the patent on that innovation which helped revolutionize the packaging industry. 

During his life, Tom was an avid yachtsman, sports car racer, photographer, and skin diver. He was named to the United States Spear Fishing Team, and helped represent the U.S. at the World Championship in Curacao in the early 50’s. He was one of the first scuba divers in the U.S., and was one of the founders of The Escambia County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team.

Tom was a member of Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola Country Club, The Pensacola Sports Association, and the Navy League. He was active in the Fiesta of Five Flags, and was honored to represent Pensacola in 1978 as Don Tristan De Luna XXIX. Additionally, he was a founding member of The Order Of Tristan. For many years, he enjoyed singing with the Society of Barbershop Quartets.

Although involved in business, community, and sporting activities, Tom's interests always returned to boating. When he was a  small child, his grandfather would take him to Palafox Wharf to see the tall sailing ships  anchored in Pensacola Bay. In the late 1930’s, Tom joined the Sea Scouts and became skipper of the troop's 55’ motorboat. An active member of Pensacola Yacht Club, Tom enjoyed more than 75 years of boating with wife Mary, family, and friends all around Pensacola Bay and the Gulf Coast.  In 1947 and 1948, Tom, his brother, and a talented crew raced his father's 51’ sloop, the White Heather from St Petersburg to Havana, Cuba. They took 3rd place in what was one of the most prestigious sailing events of that era. Years later he was Pensacola’s representative to the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, and was one of the first to computerize scoring and handicapping for racing events. Throughout his life, Tom's thirst for knowledge never ceased, and he remained as curious and interested in the world as ever. He would explain that curiosity simply by saying, “I wonder what the cat wanted to know?” He leaves us all warmed by his wit, humor, and grace. He will be remembered as a true Southern Gentleman.

Tom was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and son-in-law, Drew Pinkerton.

He is survived by his brother Dick and sister-in-law Jane. He is survived by his son Tom, Jr and wife Katrina, and their children Lara and Mark. He is also survived by his daughter Carolyn Pinkerton, granddaughter Lauren, her husband Mike Wilson, and their son Mikey. He is survived by his daughter Frances Blake, her husband Glenn, grandson David, granddaughter Courtney and her husband Adam Purser. He also leaves generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he dearly loved.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Friday, July 8, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. A private family ceremony will be held at St John’s cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 18 W. Wright St., Pensacola, FL, 32501, Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL., 32504, or a charity of your choice.