James USAF-MSC

James M. Pence, Ret. Lt. Col. USAF-MSC, age 87 of Franklin, TN passed away September 25, 2016. Born in Louisville, KY on July 21, 1929 to William Basil Pence, Sr. and Eva Frances Moore. He grew up in Bowling Green, KY from age 8. He graduated from Western Kentucky State College in 1951 (ROTC) with a BA Degree in Economics and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the newly established Medical Service Corp.of the United States Air Force. He and his wife, Betty married that same year. Following assignments at Scott and Lackland AFB's he was stationed at a remote, highly classified location in western Turkey with hospital administrator duties and served as a "fail-safe" officer before and during the Cuban missile crisis. Served at HQ Air Force Systems Command at Andrews AFB and at Air Staff HQ Pentagon. In 1970, he was promoted to Lt. Col. and became a full time student at George Washington University and achieved his MA Degree in Healthcare Administration. In 1972-73, assigned to 13th Air Force Headquarters, Clark AFB, Philippine Islands where he oversaw hospitals in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, the Philippine Islands and classified locations throughout Southeast Asia. His responsibilities required frequent trips into the Vietnam conflict and service as a member of the command post during the POW release negotiations where he oversaw medical aspects of the imprisonment. From 1973-1976, he served as hospital administrator at MacDill AFB Regional Hospital. He received numerous commendations and awards during his service. Two commendation medals with Oak Leaf Clusters and one Meritorious Service medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He retired in July 1976 with twenty years active and five years reserve duty. "My goals in the military were to serve my country, cut costs, reduce casualties, and to take no lives." Following retirement from the military he served as associate minister at the Ft. Walton Beach Church of Christ and worked 8 years with the Pee Dee Regional Health Systems Agency in Florence, SC before he and Betty moved to Franklin, TN to be near their family. He stayed active in church throughout his life having served as Deacon and Elder in various Churches of Christ, taught numerous Bible classes and was always eager to share the Gospel one on one. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved all of God's creation. He hiked the Appalachian Trail in his sixties where he was given the trail name, "Tennessee Jim" and left Bibles in the shelters along the way, completed hikes of all mountain peaks above 3000 ft. east of the Rockies, and made a solo trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK, in his seventies. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and maintaining the Natchez Trace Parkway hiking trail through volunteer work with the National Park Service. Spending time with his grandchildren gave him great pleasure and he was proud of the life decisions he saw them make. Most recently he was a member of Southern Hills Church of Christ. He loved God, his family and his country. We will miss Jim, Dad and PawPaw. Preceded in death by son, James Edward Pence. Survived by: loving wife of 65 years, Betty Jane Pence of Franklin, TN; son, Dr. David S. (Mitzi) Pence of Franklin, TN; brother, William Basil "Bill" Pence, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Daniel (Jennifer) Pence and Sarah (Adam) Ingle and great grandchildren, Henry Grayson Pence and Adeline Elizabeth Ingle. Funeral services will be conducted 10:00 AM Friday, September 30, 2016 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Dan Cottrell officiating. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be Elders at Southern Hills Church of Christ. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thursday at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615 794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com

Visitation Details

Thursday, September 29th, 2016 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Service Information

Friday, September 30th, 2016 10:00am, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Interment Details

Mt. Hope Cemetery