Norman John Tice

1935 - 2020

Tice, Norman John

Norman John Tice died peacefully surrounded by family at Laclede Groves on December 31, 2020. He was born in St. Louis on May 15, 1935 to John and Kathryn Tice. He grew up in the Dogtown neighborhood as an only child surrounded by many friends. He graduated from Southwest High School and went on to Olin School of Business at Washington University where he was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. Norm eventually would earn the Distinguished Alumni Award from Olin. After graduating, he served honorably in the Air National Guard at Scott Air Force Base.

Norm married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Bruning, and began a 65-year love affair and genuine partnership. Together they raised three children: Holly, Sharon, and Paul. Norm was known to his family as "Chip," and was a true family man, who was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren and great-grandson. He took pride in their accomplishments, always taking an interest in their lives, and was never shy about giving advice.

Norm began his career in banking in 1957 working for Boatman's Bank, starting in the collections department and quickly rising to Vice President. He left to become President of City Bank in the Central West End in 1969, where he was a community fixture. He helped lead the redevelopment of this community by supporting many small business and real estate developments. City Bank was ultimately bought out in by Boatmen's Bancshares, where he remained until he retired in 1996 as Chair of Boatmen's Credit Card Bank. Norm was Chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association in 1992 and was an active member for over 50 years.

It was Norm's work with credit cards, just as they became widely accepted by merchants and consumers, that may have been the most distinctive aspect of his professional career. Norm helped start several companies related to credit cards including Credit Systems Inc., General Credit Forms Inc., and Clearent, LLC. Norm also played a key role locating Mastercard's global operations center in St. Louis. He served on MasterCard International's board of directors for 17 years and served as its Chairman for three years.

In addition to his career, Norm devoted significant time to charities and nonprofits. Shortly after his daughter Sharon was born with Down syndrome, he worked with other parents to build nonprofits that would support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. He was one of the founders of Rainbow Village, which provides community housing, and was active with the St. Louis Arc for many years. His advocacy of mental health issues led to his appointment to the Missouri Mental Health Commission, serving both Republican and Democratic governors. As Chair of the Commission, he worked with others to make landmark legislative reforms to the mental health laws of Missouri. He also chaired the boards of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri and the Lutheran Charities Association. He served on numerous other nonprofit boards including the National Council of the Brown School at Washington University and St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Norm's family is comforted knowing he is in Heaven, reunited with those who have gone before including his daughter Sharon.

Norm is survived by his wife Arlene, his daughter Holly Falleri and her husband Frank, his son Paul Tice and his wife Nancy Parker Tice, grandchildren Matthew Falleri, Stephanie Falleri Gaskin and her husband Spence, John Parker Tice, Eric Tice, and Daniel Tice, and his great-grandchild Francis Gaskin.

Services: A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Louis Arc, 1177 N. Warson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63132 or Rainbow Village, 1240 Dautel Lane, St. Louis, MO 63146. A service of KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL