Vernon Lee Grice

Vernon Lee “Pete” Grice was born December 7, 1929 in Pueblo, Colorado. He was the fifth of ten children born to the late Arthur Otwell Grice and Albirdie (Peak) Grice. He was called from labor to reward at Milford Memorial Hospital on March 26, 2015. He was 85 years old. Pete graduated from Colorado Springs High School. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force - Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged November 2, 1954 at the rank of Staff Sgt. He then obtained an Associate of Science Degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. His additional educational studies included courses from the University of Alaska, University of Florida, Miami Dade Jr. College, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College. In 1957 Pete married his wife Phyllis Ella Stallings and from this loving union are two sons and three daughters. They were also foster parents to many children. Pete had a long and prosperous career. As a Chef, he worked for the Antlers Hotel and Chioita Park Tea Room in Colorado; the Stamford Yacht Club, Middlesex Memorial Hospital, St. Johns School for Boys, and the Madison Winter Club in Connecticut; and the Cadillac Hotel in Miami, Florida. He was the Food Service Director of 21 centers of the Children’s Day Care Center Program in Miami, Florida. As an educator, he was an instructor at Manpower Training Program in Miami, a teacher at Miami Jackson Senior High, and a teacher at Sussex Vocational Technical High School in Georgetown, DE. Pete is survived by his wife Phyllis; children James Hinton (Dollie), Dawn Grice, Myra Huff (Kenneth), Philip Grice (Elaine), and Jennifer Grice of Delaware; sisters Florine Mitchell; Elizabeth J. Boyd and Alice Lovett of Colorado Springs; brother Manuel Grice of Idaho; grandchildren David, LaVerne, Phyllis, James, Kem, Mark, Philip, Orlando, Jordan, and Kenneth; great grandchildren and a host of special cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Otwell Grice and Albirdie (Peak) Grice; brothers Arthur Otwell Grice Jr., Albert Grice, Edgar Grice, and Melvin Grice; sister Melba Grice; and grandson Michael Hinton. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vernon Lee Grice, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Vernon Lee Grice

December 7, 1929 - March 26, 2015