JAMES ‘Jake’ CARLTON GRACE, 74, of Darlington, MD died Saturday morning, January 21, 2017 at Heart Heritage Assisted Living. Born August 5, 1942, he was the oldest son of the late Carlton and Vella Rose (Quillen) Grace. Married for 52 years, he was the loving husband of Rosemary Ann (Age) Grace.

Jake proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin Wall crisis. During his military service, Jake received the highest physical training recognition of his battalion. He grew up in the Madonna area working on local farms. In his younger years he enjoyed racing his Comet and Falcon at the Cecil County Dragway and competed in motorcycle hill climbing events. Jake retired from the Aberdeen Proving Grounds where he was a heavy equipment tester for 10-years. Prior to that, he was an owner/operator of his own dump truck hauling business. In 2006 Jake was blessed to be a heart transplant recipient allowing him more precious years with his family. He was a wonderful father, a devoted provider and loving husband.

In addition to his wife, Jake is survived by:

A daughter-
Cynthia M. Marshall and her husband Kenneth S. of Whiteford, MD

Three grandchildren-
Heather Nicole Marshall
Haley Marie Marshall
Holly Christine Marshall

One brother-
Joseph D. Grace and his wife Dawn

Two sisters-
Eva Acker and her husband Charles
Joyce Benben

Nineteen nieces and nephews

and a sister-in-law
Carol Grace

Jake is also preceded by 3 siblings:
Anna Bouchet
Shirley Grace
John L. Grace

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 7 – 9 p.m. in Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main St. Delta, PA. Visitation will continue on Friday, January 27 from 10 – 11 a.m. at Harkins Funeral Home where the Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Reverend Noah Tharp of the Church of the Nazarene, Bel Air, MD. Interment immediately follows at Dublin Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Darlington, MD.

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