Johnnie Jace James

Johnnie Jace James, 65, of Kilgore, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

He was born on February 11, 1957, to Charles H. and Queba Rae (Ferguson) James in Ballinger, Texas.  On July 21, 1979, he married the love of his life, Rachel Coronado, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo, Texas. With nearly 43 years of marriage, Jace and Rachel were the perfect example of a loving, respectful marriage. Jace loved everyone, was never judgmental and had a smile that could melt anyone’s heart.  He was known as Mr. Fix it, as there was nothing he could not fix, from swimming pools to carpentry he loved to work on things.  Jace especially loved working on his ’55 Chevy and was a huge fan of classic muscle cars.  Well-traveled, Jace enjoyed most of all going to the beach and on cruises with his family.  He was the best Husband, Father, Son, and Granddaddy.  Jace’s granddaughters were the joys of his life and he would do anything for them. Jace loved to hunt quail and dove with friends and family each year.  Jace was a role model and mentor to his children, their friends, nieces, nephews, and other young people. Jace set a great example of how to live one’s life.

Jace is preceded in death by his father Charles James, his grandparents S.L. and Thelma Ferguson, and Charlie and Ella James, as well as numerous Aunts and Uncles.

He is survived by his wife Rachel James, his mother Queba James of Ballinger, his son Chance James and wife Stacy of Gladewater, Texas, his daughter Lacey Hart and husband Blaine of Lake Cherokee, Texas, and his four granddaughters, Emma, Sadie, and Ruthie James and Grayton Hart. Jace will also be missed by many family members, including his Aunt Pauline Batson and husband Jerry and their daughter Stephanie, sister-in-law Helen and husband Paul Ynostrosa, and sister-in-law Loraine and husband Israel Rios and his nieces and nephew.

A visitation for Jace will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2022, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, his funeral service will be on the following day, Monday, April 11, 2022, at 11:00 am at the chapel at Lange Funeral Home with Myron Halford officiating.  Interment will follow at Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association in Jace’s honor.

The family wishes to thank their family and friends for their outpouring of support, love, and prayers during this difficult time, as well as the employees at DNOW for taking such good care of him in his final hours.