Justus Tice | Eastern NC Now

Born: July 19, 1929, Died: September 23, 2013

    Mr. Justus Tice, age 84, a retired veteran and teacher, died Monday September 23, 2013. A funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church, Washington, NC.

    Mr. Tice was born in Martin County on July 19, 1929, to Mr. Noah Thomas and Lizzie Idell Tice now deceased. In 1953, he married Piney Ricks Cox, a marriage of 52 years that ended with her death in 2005. He is survived by his son, Steven Justus Tice of Chapel Hill and his wife, Roberta, a daughter, Alice Lucinda (Cindy) Toler of Morehead City and her husband, Michael. He is also survived by granddaughters, Stacy Tice Joyce of Holmdel, New Jersey, and her husband, Chip and Andrea Tice Newlands of Charlotte, Alaina Toler Gambardella and her husband, David and Carly Jo Ricks Toler all of Morehead City and a grandson, Al Hartman of Knoxville, TN; and great grandsons, Alex J. Newlands of Charlotte, Dashiell Joyce of Holmdel, and Rustyn Tice Gambardella of Morehead City.

    Mr. Tice graduated from Farm Life High School in 1947 and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he began a career that lasted 20 years. He became an instructor in the basic training program and remained at Lackland Air Force Base for 9 years. In 1953, he married Piney Cox and they began their family.

    Mr. Tice served during the Korean Police Action and the Vietnam War. After Lackland AFB, Texas, he was transferred to Alaska and enjoyed a tour of duty that culminated in the Air Force Award of the Commendation Medal for sustained superior performance. Other assignments sent him back to Lackland AFB then an assignment to McGuire AFB in New Jersey as an instructor in the On-The-Job Training Program. During this period he completed his requirements for a bachelor's degree at San Antonio University. From here he served a tour of duty at Clark AFB in the Philippines. From there he was sent to both Thailand and Vietnam for teaching assignments. It was here that he was promoted to Senior Master Sergeant. He finished his career at Biloxi AFB in Mississippi where the Air Force awarded him his second Air Force Commendation Medal.

    With his family in place in Washington, NC, Mr. Tice accepted a teaching position with the Beaufort County Schools in Aurora. He was a teacher, assistant principal, athletic director, and Future Teachers of America advisor. He became an advocate for the students at Aurora High School in an attempt to build class and school spirit. Fifty percent of the student body belonged to the FTA. He provided two mascots for the club, Snoopy and Woodstock, and these were always evident at sports events, parades and other school activities. He instituted Field Day which was a highlight of the school year. He made Homecoming Week activities a very pleasant experience for students. He provided a "Miss Trojanette" mascot for the athletic program. His FTA senior students provided an egg hunt for the kindergarten classes at Snowden Elementary School and the day care centers in Aurora and Bonnerton. At the age of 50 he earned his Master's Degree in Education from East Carolina University.

    He belonged to the American Legion; the Air Force Sergeants Association; and Alumni Associations at St. Mary's College (San Antonio, TX), UNC-Chapel Hill, and East Carolina University.

    In his forty years of teaching, Mr. Tice taught over 60,000 Air Force students and over 3000 Beaufort County students. He, along with his wife, Piney, were definitely dedicated educators.

    The keynote of his adult life was his devotion to this family. He always exhibited great pride in being an American, a Tar Heel (a native of North Carolina and a student at Chapel Hill), and a Tice. Since 1972 when he retired from the Air Force, the American flag has always flown at 215 East 12th Street. His love of country and family was always evident in his teaching Civics and history at Aurora High School. He supported every veteran organization and children organization.

    As much as he loved flowers, he would encourage his friends to make a like contribution to the First Christian Church, 401 East 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889.

    Visitation will be held at 6:00-7:30 PM on Wednesday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at the family home at 215 East 12th Street, Washington, NC. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday September 26, 2013 at the First Christian Church in Washington officiated by Dr. Michael Price. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Pallbearers are Tom Brown Tice, William Dhue Tice, Kirk Tice, Billy Peel, Ronnie Revels, Billy Bowen, Larry Bazemore and David Gambardella. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Toler, Bill Worsley, Clyde Roberson and Wilford Griffin.

    On-line condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Tice family.