Henry James Peace

Henry James (Jim) Peace passed away on February 10, 2020 at the age of 82, at his home in Portland, Texas. He had family with him at the time of his death.

Jim was born in Lewisport, Kentucky on February 12, 1937 to O.F. Peace and Hazel Peace.  He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 at the age of 17.  He was stationed at Randolph AFB in San Antonio in 1958 when he attended a dance in New Braunfels at Landa Park.  He met Barbara Jean (Bobbie) Heitkamp that night.  They were married on June 25, 1959.  

Jim was an aircraft mechanic and crew chief until 1968, when he left the Air Force to run the Bracken Store with Bobbie after her father’s (Roland Heitkamp) death.  Jim and Bobbie raised their 4 children there.  Jim returned to the Air Force as a reservist and a civilian crew chief on C-5’s in the 1980’s. 

Jim shared a passion for the outdoors with his wife Bobbie. This was a passion that was passed on to their children as well. Hunting and sightseeing trips to West Texas as well as fishing and camping trips to the coast were favorite activities.

Bobbie passed away on December 28, 1993 after 34 years of marriage.

Jim married Myrtle ”Mernie” Allen on June 30, 1996.  They moved to City-by-the-Sea near Rockport, Tx. where Jim loved taking his boat out into the bay to spend the day fishing.

Jim and Mernie enjoyed 24 love filled years together. From spending time with friends and family on the banks of the Guadalupe River, to many trips to Casinos where they would compete in slots tournaments, Jim and Mernie were always together.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Mernie; sons Keith (and Jan) Peace of San Antonio, TX; Larry (and Anne) Peace of Edmond, OK; Kevin Peace of San Antonio, TX; daughter Lane Schmidt(and Dean) of Oklahoma City, OK; stepsons Doug Bond of San Antonio, TX; James(Jimbo) Withrow of Kirbyville, TX; and stepdaughter Lori Petree of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Kyle Peace, Stephanie Peace, Joshua Peace, Lindsey Peace, Katarina Schmidt, Derek Peace,  Julia Peace; and numerous step grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Bobbie; and Mernie’s son Freddy Withrow.

Jim was a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars.  He will be laid to rest with a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. on February 24, 2020, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX, Shelter 3.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Kindred Hospice of Corpus Christi or the charity of your choice.