Joseph Hye Tice

Joseph Hye Tice, 58, left this earthly life for a life without suffering on April 18, 2012. He was a beloved son, brother, and uncle to his large extended family and an even larger community of friends and support, and he will be missed by all who were honored by his association.

Joe was born in Abilene, Texas, on October 7, 1953. He attended Cooper High School, class of 1971, in Abilene and graduated from the University of Texas, Plan II, in 1975, securing his MS in Journalism from UT in 1978. His professional life led him to Denver, Portland, Austin, and finally New Orleans in 1986, where he worked for Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. as Corporate Communications Manager until his retirement in 1993. His life in New Orleans was dominated by service to others. He was a core volunteer in the beginning days of the No AIDS Task Force in New Orleans and was also a board member of the PWA Coalition when the Food Bank was established. He stayed in his home throughout Hurricane Katrina, leading his family and friends on a frenzied search for him due to a loss of communication for several weeks. He was so dedicated to New Orleans that he returned and bought another home, faithful to the city that embraced him for 20 years.

Joe is survived by his parents, Orbon and Laurie Tice, of Abilene, Texas, and 4 loving sisters, Cathy Higgins and husband, Don, of Trooper, Pennsylvania, Cindy Wiebusch and husband, Art, of Midland, Texas, sister Carol Tice of Boise, Idaho, and sister Emily Tice and partner, Celine Caithamer of Houston, two nieces, Laurie Whitley and Becky Davis, and four nephews, Andy Higgins, Ben Davis, Eric Wiebusch, and Spencer Wiebusch, as well as his faithful companion, Gripper. He leaves behind a vast network of friends and associates from as far back as elementary school in Abilene to his college life at UT, to his travels overseas, to his last home in New Orleans. Special friends in New Orleans, Judy DeFraites and Lisa Breland, will be forever in our debt for their devotion to Joe for many years and especially in his last days.

Joe’s final resting place is yet to be determined. Gifts in Joe’s memory may be sent to No AIDS Task Force, 2601 Tulane Avenue, #500, New Orleans, LA, 70119, or Concerned Care Hospice, 3621 Ridgelake Dr., Ste 301, Metairie, LA, 70002. Arrangements by Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed on line at www.schoencanalstreet.com.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor any more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4

Arrangements under the direction of Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70119. Telephone 504-482-2111