Austin L Grice Jr.

Retired Master Sergeant Austin L. Grice Jr. of Dover, Delaware passed away at 91 on May 4, 2023 in his home. He was born in Marion, South Carolina on January 7, 1932 to the late Austin L. Grice Sr. and Naomi Israel Grice. He came from humble beginnings with a father who was a sharecropper. His dad was accidentally killed when he was a toddler so his mother went to work. He worked hard to graduate from high school in 1950 while working on farms and at a restaurant to support himself.
In 1951, Austin moved to Ocean City, NJ and soon after received a draft notice. He says, "My eyes got large, and sweat broke out on my forehead. Why me?" The Korean War had begun, and he knew some of the young people who had already lost their lives for the country. Not wanting to be in the infantry Austin volunteered for the Air Force.
During his time in the service he served in many roles such as supply, a courier, and some he could never discuss. A placard on the wall of his home sums up the essence of his military career. The placard reads: "Home is where the Air Force sends you," and many places were home for him. His career began at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX, followed by Sheppard AFB, TX, Brookley AFB, AL, Johnston Island AB, AK, Westover AFB, MA where he met his bride Charmaine Thomas. They were married on May 23, 1955. Their journey continued to Dover AFB, DE, Oxnard AFB, CA, Elmendorf AFB, AK, Dover AFB, DE, Edwards AFB, CA, and ended at Dover AFB, DE where he finally retired!
There are many things for which Austin will be remembered, a few are for reciting poetry, jokes, catch phrases, his knack for fixing cars, gardening, and being the person that many in the community called on when in need. He regularly frequented his favorite local restaurants like Captain John's and Raceway. Anyone who served as his waiter or waitress can probably tell you unforgettable stories about his wit and personality. Dad was frequently compared to George Jefferson, but he lacked a filter much more than George and had a lot more spunk. Daily he visited the sick and elderly until he was physically unable to because of his own health. He was a member of Mount Zion African African Methodist Episcopal Church for more than 50 years where he served as a trustee and usher. Austin enjoyed sports, but not as much as Charmaine. It is challenging to keep up with his favorite sports teams. However, if you know what teams Charmaine cheered for you'll know all of his favorites, because he emphatically rooted against all the teams that his wife rooted for. Everyone in the family would agree that he doesn't like the Eagles!
Austin was often quiet about his past and his struggles, but somehow he managed to keep moving forward while enduring it all. Our family is proud to acknowledge that despite the many challenges he faced as a child he rose to earn an industrial engineering degree from Southern Illinois University. This was accomplished after retiring from the Air Force, while working full time at Scott Paper Company (Kimberly Clark) where he worked for 19 years until retirement.
Mr. Grice was preceded in death by his parents Austin L. Grice Sr. and Naomi Israel Grice. Additionally,his sister Berletha Grice Burton and her husband (his brother in law) Wilburt Burton Sr. (Curly) and his sister in law Jean Grice, and his son in law Kevin B. Taylor.
Austin is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Charmaine Grice, Dover, DE. He leaves behind one sibling John D. Grice, Cranford, NJ. He also leaves his children Eugene A. Grice (Darlene), Dover, DE, Cassandra Taylor Dover, DE, Cheryl Charles (Duane) Smyrna, DE, and Richard Henry, Ewa Beach, HI. Austin has 18 grandchildren (and their spouses) and 15 great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.