Gaza Samuel Gace, Sr. “Baby,”
Gaza Samuel Gace, Sr. “Baby,” 89, of Santa Fe, TX, peacefully passed away at his son’s home surrounded by his loved ones on October 20, 2022. Gaza was born March 6, 1933, to Mary Amanda and Gaza Gace in Galveston. Born and raised on the island, he graduated from Ball High in 1952. Gaza married the love of his life, Helen Elaine Holmes Gace in 1957.
Gaza served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. Following his enlistment, he worked as a carman for Southern Pacific Railroad and retired after 35 years of service. He will be remembered as a friendly man with a smile on his face, he never met a stranger. He loved farming and his family. His main hobby was picking up his aluminum cans and was known locally as the Can Man. Gaza had a great sense of humor, always joking and enjoyed aggravating, especially his daughter Karen.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Gace; son Stephen Dale Gace; son-in-law Chris Holt; sister Janey Elizabeth Bliss; brother George David Gace; and one grandchild.
Gaza leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughters Karen Yvonne McKinney and husband Michael, Dianne Elaine Holt, and Susan Lorraine Stoppel and husband Todd; sons Gaza Samuel Gace, Jr., Walter Russell Gace and wife Karen, Michael Wayne Gace and husband Eric; sister Mary Amanda Lemire; sister-in-law Edith Gace; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
In his honor there will be a visitation 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, October 28, 2022, with funeral services 9:30 am, Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Crowder Funeral Home Chapel Dickinson. Interment follows at Galveston Memorial Park.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Kenneth Simmons, Robert Stoppel, Ronnie Holt, Kevin McKinney, Patrick Gace, and Dustin Deckard. Honorary pallbearers are Mason McKinney, Austin Gace, Timothy McKinney, and Chris Holt, Jr.
Funeral service will be livestreamed at the link below:
Ughhh I started crying when I was reading it. I miss him so much. My kids will know how special my grandparents were to me. I miss you pawpaw I love you so much.
Rest In Peace uncle babe we will always love you and remember you fly high
He gave the best financial advise, even when you didn’t ask for it. I will always cherish that advise and the man it come from. It’s an honor to be his granddaughter. Enjoy forever with your Willie.
He was a great man and he will be greatly missed. I remember all the great times I had with him and his family when I was younger. You will be missed Mr Gace.