Grover "Boots" Marlin Brice

Grover Marlin "Boots" Brice, age 97, of Oakwood passed away at his residence after a lengthy illness, on April 21, 2017, surrounded by loving family and friends. Boots was born on January 30, 1920 in Jackson County, near Altus, Oklahoma to Roby Roy Brice and Willie Johnson Brice. Boots enjoyed writing and singing songs. He enjoyed traveling and taking vacations. He lived and breathed baseball. The Texas Rangers were his favorite team; however he loved watching any age group play. Cooking was another thing he loved, and he made some really fine barbeque brisket. Boots loved life and appreciated every day that God gave him. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Buffalo.

As a young man, Boots was employed by the Civilian Conservation Corp's, which was created in 1937 to help the nation recover from the Great Depression. He worked with other men for the C.C.C. as they built fire towers, bridges, culverts, and roads in order to access remote parts of the East Texas forest. They also helped string telephone lines, planted trees, and fought forest fires. Boots was a member of the "Greatest Generation" who fought for our freedoms in World War II. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 and was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge GO 31 USAFFE, as well as one Service Stripe and 4 Overseas Service Bars. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, Masonic Lodge 400 of Elkhart, and a life time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Fairfield. He worked as a truck driver and also as an oilfield worker. He retired from East Texas Stone as shop foreman for E.W. Hable in 1975.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Willie Lee Johnson Brice; four brothers, Jesse Rose, Calvin Brice, Roy Brice and Joe Brice; two sisters, Helen Williamson and Billie Jean Black; step-daughter, Donna Cantrell; daughter-in-law, Marlene (Marti) Brice; one grandson, Cody Brice; one great-grandson, Seth Brice; his first wife, Hazel Petty; and his second wife, Ida Williams.

Boots is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Gale Brice of Oakwood, Texas; son, Richard M. Brice of Copperas Cove, Texas; step-sons Jimmy Williams and wife Sally ("The Yankee") from Eustace, Texas, David Lathrop and wife Alexis from Grand Prairie; step-daughter, Cindy Minter & husband Joe of Oakwood, Texas; brother-in-law, Bill Black of Mexia, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; special friends, Richey and Sherry Boyd of Oakwood, Texas; and a very caring and loving care giver, Stephanie Norris with Nurses Unlimited from Waco.

Funeral services for Grover "Boots" Brice will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Bro. Walter Pickens officiating. Visitation for friends of the family will be held Sunday night from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rhone Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Oakwood, Texas with Military Honors and Masonic Rites.

Funeral services for Mr. Brice are in the care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Hwy 19, Palestine, TX.