Bobby Grice

1942 – 2017

Bobby Joe Grice (75), on Monday, August 21, 2017 went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bobby was born in Clio, Alabama on January 12, 1942, the 3rd child of four born to L.C. and Mary Norton Grice (Dykes). In his younger days, he was a gifted athlete and football player and was honored to be scouted by his hero, Bear Bryant, for his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide.

In June 1969, he married Judith Powell, and had an instant family with her children Dani, Michael, and Rhela Briggs. Together they later had a son, Robert Cochise and a daughter, Shauna Cherokee Nicole.

Bobby spent more than 30 years in supervisory positions in the construction industry which took him all across the country from Oregon to Maine. Despite the fact that his career often kept him far from home, he loved nothing more than returning to Judy and the kids where he enjoyed spending time working in the yard, grilling out, riding horses, camping at the river, and playing practical jokes on us all.

He had a tremendous love of nature and was an avid outdoorsman. When combining his love of hunting and fishing with his fierce competitiveness, he could always be counted on to shoot the most deer and catch the biggest fish (right up until last year, at 74, when he landed a 10-pound bass).

During the later years of his life, Bobby often enjoyed spending time with old friends and fishing at his childhood home in Clio, Alabama. While at home in Pensacola, he was usually watching NASCAR races, Alabama football, or old Western movies.

Although he seldom expressed in words his love for his family, there was never any doubt his love was solid and true and we all knew how important we were to him. He held his family in high regard, providing for, protecting and truly loving his wife, kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were truly his pride and joy.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Pat Shirley and Mary Catherine Brown; great-granddaughter, Raigan Knight, and great-grandson, Jack Ransom. He is survived by his wife, Judy, his step-children, Danacyn “Dani” Knight, Michael (Robin) Briggs, Rhela (Kenny) McCoy; his children, Robert “Cochise” Grice, Shauna Grice; his grandchildren, Justin Knight , John “Charlie” Ransom, Stephanie Briggs, Jade Briggs, Garret Knight, Dillan Grice, Chaelyn Shiflett; and great grandchildren, Jake Knight, Lilly Ransom, and Bailey Knight; his only brother, Donald (Debbie) Grice, sister-in-law, Toni Rice; and so many nephews and nieces that share so many memories with “Uncle Bobby."

A memorial service officiated by Reverend Gary Matroni will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Three Rivers Church, 31841 US Highway 90, Seminole, AL 36574, beginning at 1:00 PM.

The family would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to the 4th floor ICU staff, most especially, his nurses, Gina and Sally at Sacred Heart Hospital for their care and attentiveness.

Arrangements under the direction of Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, Pensacola, FL.