Gene Wice

Alfred E. "Gene" Wice, 84, of Palo Pinto died Saturday, November 29, 2014. Memorial services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church in Palo Pinto. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Gene was born to the late Della Stabio and George Wice, November 12, 1930 in Lead, South Dakota. George worked in the Homestead Mine in Lead. In 1931, the family moved west of Broadus, MT, where George worked for the Pearless Coal Mining Co. In 1941, the Wices moved to Broadus, MT. Gene graduated from Powder River High School in Broadus in 1948. After graduation, Gene joined a Seismic Crew from Dallas, Texas, and traveled all over the U.S. During that time, he moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Gene married and help raise a family of six. He worked for several oil companies and traveled to the north slope of Alaska and spent time in the Artic. He retired from PanArtic of Canada in the late 1980's. In 1985, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Rita Cathey Price, of Palo Pinto, Texas. They lived in Calgary, Canada, for a short time but, settled in Palo Pinto after Gene's retirement from PanArtic. Many years were spent traveling to Montana to visit family and friends. Trips to Calgary to visit family and grandkids.

During his retirement years in Texas, Gene worked in the community mowing lawns, plumbing, painting, etc. His favorite job was Foreman of the Harris 000 Ranch in Palo Pinto, owned by Robert and Debra Harris of Denton, Texas. As Foreman, Gene looked after the Longhorn steers and became attached to them.

During his lifetime, Gene had been a hard worker and provided well for his family. He had touched a lot of lives and will be deeply missed. He loved adventure and had a natural curiosity about everything and people. He loved to travel and visit.

Gene loved to "tinker." He had the ability to take some old worn out object and make it like new again. He loved to create a new tool/object from "junk" that he had laying around the garage.

Rita and Gene had a wonderful garden over the years that they shared with family and friends. His last garden was the Spring/Summer of 2014. Some of Gene's favorite things: Watching the Dallas Cowboys on Cowboy Sunday with Rita and family members. Anything chocolate, especially ice cream. In his earlier years, he enjoyed a good cold beer on a hot Summer day. Reading the newspaper everyday and keeping up with current events, no matter where he was. He enjoyed good movies and Old Country music.

Survivors include: Texas family, wife, Rita Wice of Palo Pinto, Susan Price of Palo Pinto, Coleman Price of Palo Pinto, Ron & Pat Price of Streetman, Kenny & Shelley Price of Palo Pinto, Robert & Debra Price of Benbrook, Mark & Pattie "PJ" Price of Weatherford, and Kristi Price Armstrong of Louisiana; 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and special neighbor and friend, Louise Bell; Canada Family, Kenny & Julie Wice, Terry & Cindy Wice and kids, Josh & Shelby, David Wice, and Melanie Wice Smith; Montana family, sister, Margaret Schaffer and family of Broadus, Montana and numerous family and friends of Broadus, MT and best friend Joy Rogge of Broadus, MT.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations be made to the Wice Account at Bank of America in Mineral Wells.

He was preceded in death by Alan Wice, Bonnie Wice, and Carroll Schaffer.