Phillip A. Mace, 77

Phillip A. Mace, 77, of Hendersonville, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014.

God here he comes your adventurous creation. Finally he joins the world beyond he so often visualized. How will he arrive, on a rocket, roller skates, clogging, or on a surfboard. Phillip, born March 8, 1936, was the only child of Ulysses and Gladys Mace. The Maces were owners and operators of the Mace General Store in the busy bend of Kanuga Road first opening in the 1920s. Phillip graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1954. Growing up, Phil and his dad were avid fox hunters. His favorite fox hound was "Danger" who lived to be 18 years old. In his teens, Phillip clogged with the Echo Mountain and Ben Smathers clogging teams. He also enjoyed roller skating and surfing. He frequented Ron Jon Surf Shops. After a stint in the Army in Istanbul he joined the team of NASA technicians. Phillip was a "rocket launch and captive firing electrician" during the Apollo program. During this time he studied, contemplated, and meditated on the stars, planets, and the beyond. Acknowledging there is a God, he said, "I'm ready to be taken."

Phillip leaves behind his partner and companion of 10 years, Geraldine Collis, his extended family; father figure to Jeff Collis, Sharon Stepp, Linda Sanders, Patrick Stepp, and his "little girl", Sarah Collis. He will be missed.

Phillip and Geraldine have led the Monday night street dances in Hendersonville for the past 3 years, now Phillip is dancing with his angels.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.