John Rowland Trice

John R. Trice left this earth Jan. 26, 2012, after a brief illness, at the age of 79. He will be greatly missed. A graveside ceremony will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 6,at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 South 5th Street, Waco, with Dr. Milton Cunningham presiding.

John Rowland Trice entered this life Sept. 23, 1932, born in Houston, the son of E.L "Jack" Trice and Catherine Rowland Trice. He was baptized at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. A 1951 graduate of Waco High School, he later earned a BBA from Baylor University. John volunteered for the Navy and received his commission after attending Naval Officer School. He was a graduate of the School of Military Justice of Newport, R.I. He served as legal officer aboard the Flagship of the US Seventh Fleet, USS Rochester off the Red China Coast. After his service in the Navy, he returned to Waco and earned his JD from Baylor Law School in 1958. Upon graduation, John took a job with Humble Oil and Refining Company in California. Returning to Waco in 1960, he served as Legal Counsel for the Texas Highway Department and then as assistant city attorney for the City of Waco before entering private practice.

John's penchant for politics led him to organize the first Republican Club in the history of McLennan County and to be the first Republican to seek a county office when he ran for District Attorney's office in 1962. He continued to be active in politics and the Naval reserve for many years. John left service after being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He served as the Vice President for Naval Affairs of the Reserve Officer's Association of the United States, the Young Republicans National Committee, was the 1964 GOP nominee for Attorney General of Texas, and a 1968 GOP primary candidate for Texas Governor. Additionally, he served in the campaigns of John Tower, Alan Steelman and Ronald Reagan.

John was an excellent pilot and mariner, who loved adventure in the sky and in the water. He was proud of his commercial, instrument and multi-engine pilot ratings and often combined his love of fishing with flights to Pesca, Mexico. John enjoyed sailing and fishing on one of his many boats often spending his time on Lake Lewisville, off the coast of South Padre Island or in the waters of the Caribbean.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Edwin Leslie Trice Jr.

John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Lt. Col. Greg Foster; his son and daughter-in-law and grand daughter, John R. Trice Jr., Meagan and Faye; his sister-in-law, Kathyrn Moore; his nephew, E.L Jack III and wife, Cindi Trice; niece and husband, Marianne and Barry Masteller; and several great-nieces and nephews.

John will be remembered for his marvelous sense of humor, the love of a good practical joke and the time spent with his family and friends.

September 23, 1932 - January 26, 2012

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