Betty Pace
I learned of your Father's death in 2001 or 2002. My Father was W. H. Baker, who was your great uncle. My father died in 2003 but never mentioned your father's death until he was in his 90's. He first said they never found Arthur's boy over there but never told me more about what he meant. I was finally able to find your Father several years ago on the MIA list. The traveling wall came to Springfield Mo last week and I was able to find your Dad's info and do further tracking. I have been to the wall several times but not since I learned of your Father's death. I will never know why my dad did not tell me about this earlier so I could have sent you my sympathies and my regrets much earlier.
I will only say that I never knew your father because my parents, W.H. and Linda, left TX in 1057 and the only contacts we had were very infrequent letters. Dad was happy here living on Bull Shoals Lake (about 50 miles east of Branson Mo). I have now been an attorney for 39 years in Springfield MO. My address is 2557 East Cherry, Suite D, Springfield MO 65802; and my office no. is (417) 866-1633.
Ever since I learned of your Father's death, I have tried to find add'l info on him but was only able to do so recently. I went to the Wall and it helped me to connect with this site and hopefully you will receive notice of this.
I am apologizing for not learning of you and your extended family prior to now. My Dad and your Grandfather had the closest relationship of the brothers. I can only tell you my brief memories of your grandfather and tell you there is no question that he looked very much like your father. Since I know your parents were divorced, but little else about the family relationships, I thought you might like to know my impressions of your grandfather from the perspective of a 8 year old. Your grandfather was my favorite uncle on either side. From the age of 6 to 8, my family lived in Clayton, Panola County, TX. Uncle Arthur and my Dad liked to fish and hunt so he generally came to our house about once a month on an average. He literally spoiled me rotten since I was definitely his youngest niece. He and my dad would camp every few months at Lake Caddo adn we always went with them. Your grandfather would take me to the Dairy Queen and let me have whatever I wanted; took me to Sunday school and would give me a dime to allow to personally put it in the collection plate which was a huge deal for me since my mother always put the money in the collection plate. It made me feel so proud to hear the dime click in the plate. If he was there on Sat., he would take me to my Blue Bird meetings and I was so excited because he would drive me and he I would be alone since my sister was too old to be in Blue Birds. Also, my father had a serious car wreck during that time and my mother did not drive. Uncle Arthur came over every weekend to insure that mother could get groceries; take her to the store or bring what she needed. During that time, I did not know a lot about the accident because I was so small, they didn't tell me too much so it would not scare me. But, what I recall is how comforting it was for your grandfather to put me in his lap and hold me. I was a Daddy's little girl and Uncle Arthur continued to act in that capacity for the entire time Dad was not there.
I can't even imagine the pain you must have went through when you lost your Father at such an early age because I remember how frightening and scary it was for my dad to not be there every night to put me to bed. I can only say I am sorry that my family was not there for you at that time. I simply do not what the family dynamics were between your parents and my dad.
I want you to know that I will honor your Father's memory from this time forward each Memorial day; on special holidays; and will visit the Wall and Arlington say a little prayer for him each time I am in DC. Love, , Betty Ann (Baker) Pace (2d cousin)