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Wilfred Pence Dacus, age 87, from Houston, Texas, went to be with the Lord and join his wife Janis on Feb. 15, 2019. Pence was born in San Saba, Texas, on July 26, 1931 to Doyle and Olive Dacus. He grew up in San Saba and Brady, Texas, with his parents and younger brother, Weldon. He attended Tarleton Junior College, Southwest Texas State Teachers College, Abilene Christian College and the University of Houston, where he received a doctorate degree.
Pence, a humble leader, had a rich and varied career. During his college years he excelled at athletics. As a quarterback he was named to the “Little All American” team and drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1954 but was required to keep his commitment to the Air Force. Lifetime friend, former teammate and longtime Athletic Director at Southwest Texas State, Vernon McDonald, was quoted as saying that “Pence Dacus was the best all-around athlete ever at Southwest Texas State and was recruited with a penny post card.”
While in the Air Force Pence became seriously ill and he was unable to return to football. While in the hospital, he felt called to teach and serve the Lord. He met Janis at Abilene Christian, and they married on June 6, 1959 and moved to College Station, Texas, where he served as the Bible Chair Director at the A&M church of Christ. In 1960, Pence accepted a job as the head football coach at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA. When Pepperdine discontinued their football program in 1962, Pence received a fellowship from the University of Houston to complete his PhD while he worked at a local congregation. After receiving his PhD, Pence returned to work at Pepperdine.
While working at Pepperdine, Pence had a conversation with Bob Davidson that changed the course of his life. Bob invited Pence and Janis to join the mission work in Thailand. The family moved to Thailand in 1963 and then moved to Singapore in early 1964 to help start the Malaysia Christian College (Four Seas College of Bible and Missions). Many of the men and women trained at the College went on to be leaders in the church in Singapore and have influenced Christians throughout the world.
Pence returned to Pepperdine to work in university administration. He went on to similar positions at Southwest Texas State and Texas A&I, Kingsville. Following retirement, Pence and Janis returned to Singapore for two years to assist with leadership training in the Pasir Panjang congregation. On returning to the states, Pence and Janis chose to live in College Station, feeling their lives had gone full circle. Pence served as an elder in the churches in Kingsville and College Station. For the past five years, Pence and Janis lived in Houston to be near their sons.
Pence will be remembered by his family as a quiet godly leader, loving husband, father, and granddaddy.
Pence is preceded in death by his wife Janis of 59 years, who lovingly cared for him until her recent passing on Feb. 6, 2019.
Pence leaves behind his four children, Pennie Gilliland and her husband Mike, Pence (Wil) Dacus, Jr., David Dacus and his wife Jenny, and Mark Dacus and his wife Tracy; four grandsons, Michael Dacus, Andrew Gilliland, Ben Gilliland, and Jax Dacus; three sisters-in-law, Georgia Dacus, Linda Castleman and her husband Kirk, and Diane Pine, plus a host of loving, extended family members and friends.
A private, family graveside service will be held in Houston and a “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the A&M church of Christ in College Station, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Pence’s name to Impact, Missions Resource Network or the Missions Program of the Pasir Panjang Congregation in Singapore.
