Pastor James H. Trace, Jr., age 81, of Wellston, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio. He was born February 12, 1932 in Jackson County, Ohio, to the late James H. Trace, Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Hall Trace.
Jim was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served during the Korean War. He was a Sergeant with the Company “A,” 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division FMF and he has been awarded four battle stars. Jim was a former maintenance supervisor for several years at the Jenkins Memorial Nursing Facility in Wellston. He was currently the Pastor of the Victory Chapel Church in Jackson.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marcella Click Trace; sons, James L. Trace, Sr. of Bronson, Mich. and Robert W. Trace I (Gail M. Sech) of Columbus; grandchildren, Marcie Young (Kevin), James L. Trace, Jr., Robert W. Trace II, Rachel Myers (Eric), Justin L. Trace, Sarah Cummings (Matt), Anna Harbaugh and Terry Hicks (Liz), as well as eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Edward Trace and his sister, Pauline Baird.
Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Memory Gardens in Coalton with military honors by the American Legion Post 371 of Wellston and the United States Marines. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com.