Obituary of Leroy "Buddy" Bice
Leroy “Buddy” Bice was born on March 25, 1938 in Campti, Louisiana. On Sunday, June 30th at the age of 81 he passed peacefully with his family at his side.
He was next to the youngest of 7 children. Some of his fondest memories during his childhood years were nickel cokes, nickel candy bars, ten cent movies and ten cent popcorn at the old movies that were shown on the back end of a barn building outdoors at night. The projectors were the old reel to reel type where you had to rewind the first half before you could show the second half of the movie.
Buddy’s father was a cotton farmer and died at the age of 61. His mother worked along side her husband in the fields with her husband while caring for 7 children, she died in 1992.
As a child Buddy remembered walking to the Baptist church 3 days a week and attending services under the Brush Arbor until the church had enough funds to build an indoor church.
Buddy always had an entrepreneurial spirit; his first job was a newspaper route that paid $8 a week. He later left this route for a new job that paid $14 a week. When he was 15, he delivered groceries on a bicycle for Cashio’s Grocery Store, he would leave this job in the evenings to work evenings at the ball games. His purchased his first motor scooter at age 15, a Cushman motor scooter. He later purchased his first car in 1941, a Pontiac four door sedan for $40. When he found that this car used more oil than gas he traded it for a 1941 Chevrolet coupe with a car payment of $14.
Buddy joined the National Guard at age 16 before joining the US Marine Corps at age 17 on August 28, 1955. He served three years active duty followed by three years of reserve duty.
When he returned from serving his country, he started a career with Kleinpeter Dairy Farms in Baton Rouge and was the top salesman for their company. He moved to Texas several years later and bought a small flower shop which at its height to 6 locations and one of the largest in the nation. Bice’s Florist was noted as one of the top 100 Florists in the nation for many years. While in the flower business Buddy also served on the board of directors for FTD and was later inducted into AAF (American Academy of Floriculture). Buddy prided himself of being able to provide jobs in his local community for hundreds of people over his career providing flowers for countless events. A long standing member of many local organizations like the Rotary Club and Optimist Club, he always supported his community was glad to be able to donate flowers to many charities over the years.
Buddy retired in 2003, selling his business which included 6 flower shops and 2 wedding chapels. After retirement he began a new career overseeing the build of many commercial office sites and landlord to several residential properties.
Buddy married the love his life, Carol on May 30, 1998. They originally met on the dance floor at an event during the FTD Board of directors meeting in Detroit 10 years prior. Buddy lovingly teased Carol telling her “You are my woman and I am your man”.
Some of his happiest moments were spending time with his and Carol’s grandchildren, 15 in total. He hoped and prayed that all would do well in life and always encouraged them all to go to college and not to depend on others.
Buddy created his legacy by spreading joy with flowers, his family will graciously receive flowers this week prior to the funeral services at Forest Ridge Funeral Home in North Richland Hills. If you do not wish to send flowers for the funeral, the family asks that you send flowers to someone you love this week in his honor.
Buddy was survived by his wife Carol D. Bice, his son David Bice and wife Vivian; grandchildren Peyton and Savannah. His daughter Carol E. Bice; grandchildren Alexis Branch and Zachary McClellan. His youngest daughter Lisa Bice-Wheelock and husband Steve Wheelock and grandsons
2nd Lt. Ty Brennon Millsap, Garrett and Chance Wheelock. His son Michael Bice and daughter
Sherry Bice Lincoln.
He is also survived by his step-children: Michelle Thornhill and husband Brett and grandchildren Collin, Maddie and Mollie Thornhill; Michael Davolt and his wife Denise and grandchildren Zoey, Zaley and Ty. Grady Davolt and grandsons Colby and Parker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Bice Sr. and Sue Dell Bice as well as all of his siblings:
Arthur Jr., Emmitt, Lawrence, Vivian, Virginia and Eva Dell.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 5th 2019 from 6pm-8pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine. Funeral services and celebration of life will be held at 10 am Saturday, July 6, 2019 also at First Presbyterian Grapevine located at 1002 N. Park St. in Grapevine.
