Dr. John “Jack” Walter Pacey (April 27, 1931 – August 1, 2025). Beloved Dentist, Devoted Father, and Gentle Soul.
Dr. John “Jack” Walter Pacey, 94, a lifelong resident of Galesburg and Dahinda, Illinois, passed away peacefully in Broomfield, Colorado, surrounded by his loving family. A humble and kind-hearted man, Jack lived a life defined by quiet strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others.
Born on April 27, 1931, in Galesburg, Jack was the son of Dr. Walter and Marian (Macnair) Pacey. He married Rebecca “Becky” Naomi Ueland in 1955 in Highland Park, Illinois. Becky preceded him in death on July 31, 1987, in Dallas, Texas.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joann (Pacey) Boydstun; his brother, Dr. Fred Pacey, who passed away just months ago; and his beloved son, Jay Walter Pacey, who died in 2003 at age 45 a loss that weighed heavily on Jack’s heart.
Jack is survived by his sons, John Craig Pacey (Teresa) of Pinehurst, NC, and Kris Ueland Pacey (Tina) of Westminster, CO; his five grandchildren, Sarah Curcio, Kyle Pacey, Jillian Pacey, Erin Palmisano, and Cory Pacey; and his great-grandchildren Damian Wiggins, Reghan Curcio, Mia Palmisano, Brandon McClary, Adrianne Curcio, Kohrben Curcio, and Penny Palmisano.
A proud graduate of Galesburg High School, he attended Knox College before transferring to Northwestern University Dental School, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1955. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, stationed in Bad Nauheim, Germany, where his son Jay was born.
Dr. Pacey practiced dentistry in Galesburg for over 45 years, from 1959 to 2005. He worked alongside his father and brother at their longtime office on North Henderson Street, which became a cornerstone of the community. Patients spanning generations sought his care not just for his professional skill, but for his gentle demeanor, integrity, and ever-present warm smile.
Jack was an exceptional student-athlete in his younger years. Beyond his professional and academic accomplishments, he was a devoted family man who lived by example, quietly enriching the lives of those around him.
He had a deep love of the water an avid sailor and water sports enthusiast who found joy and peace at Bayfield, Wisconsin; Galveston Bay and Kemah, Texas; and Oak Run, Illinois, where he built the community’s first house in 1972. His most cherished moments were those spent sailing, camping, and boating with his sons memories filled with laughter, adventure, and love.
Jack’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the smiles he helped create, and the love he poured into his family and community. He was, above all, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.
All throughout their lives, Jack repeatedly told his sons and grandkids how much he loved them and how proud he was of them, right up to the end of his life.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Oak Run at a later date.
Fair winds and following seas, Jack. Your journey continues in all of us.
