Earnest Frederick “Fred” Pace was born in 1934, in Susanville, California, to Robert and Mary Pace. On October 31, 2024, he passed away in Hughson, California, at the age of 90. During those 90 years, Fred lived a life full of family, friends, service, work, travel, and church.
Fred was the youngest of his siblings and spent his growing up years in Johnstonville, California, where he rode horses and helped his mother tend the chickens. His brothers went off to service in the Pacific during World War 2. In high school Fred was active in FFA and school leadership. He and Harriet Chappuis met at Lassen High School and became sweethearts. After high school graduation in 1953, Fred moved to San Luis Obispo to attend college where he studied Animal Husbandry. He was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. One of his high school teachers encouraged him to apply to college and because of that the trajectory of his life changed. In 1955, Fred and Harriet were married and lived in on campus student housing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During their time there, two children were born, Mary Jane and Evan. After graduation in 1957, the family moved to Castro Valley area where John was born. Fred worked on a cattle ranch there until he accepted a new job at a Middletown area ranch where today sits Guenoc Winery. In 1960, the family moved to Petaluma, California, where Fred began work at Pacific Breeders in the new field of Artificial Insemination of cattle. In Petaluma, the
youngest child, Ross, was added to the family. In 1965, the family relocated to Turlock,
California, where Fred partnered to open a new market for A.I. in the central valley. He later joined Carnation Genetics in Hughson, California, to begin work in the new field of embryo transfer. The family moved to Hughson in 1972 where Fred remained for the rest of his life. During time in the Hughson community, Fred was active in his church at St. Anthony’s. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served on the local school board for several years. He was active in Rotary, SIRS, and CRS.
In retirement, Fred and Harriet enjoyed travel to many US states, Mexico, and Europe. When Harriet was no longer able to travel because of Parkinson’s Disease, Fred became her care giver until she passed away at home in 2020.
Fred leaves behind his four children, Mary Jane Owen (Rodney), Evan, John (Rosa), Ross
(Eleonore), 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and his dearest friend Barbara Ferriera.
Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church will be held sometime early in 2025. All family and friends are invited to attend. Burial will occur in the Spring at Janesville Cemetery in Lassen County. Dates will be announced via social media and church announcements.
