Ronald Barry Grice

Ronald Barry Grice, 80, passed away on June 5, 2022, at the Robin Johnson House in Dallas, NC.

Barry was born in Mt. Holly, NC, and was the son of the late Ora Chapman Grice and Thad Allen Grice. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Don Grice, and younger sister, Shirley Estridge. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail Jones Grice; daughter, Alissa Grice, and her fiancé Jerry Sindt; son, Brent Grice, and wife, Lisa Mitchell Grice; his beloved grandchildren, Ryan and Allie Grice; and many special extended family members.

Barry led a full and interesting life. As a teen, he worked as a soda jerk at Charlie’s Drugs in Mt. Holly after school, as well as worked a summer for Duke Power helping build Cowans Ford dam at Lake Norman. He graduated from Mt. Holly High School in 1960, and attended Wingate College, Pfeiffer College, and NC State with the goal of becoming an electrical engineer. Circumstances brought him back to Mt. Holly, and he resumed his education at Charlotte College (now UNCC) and began working for American & Efird Mills in Mt. Holly. Because Charlotte College did not offer an electrical engineering program, he switched his major to business and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. After college graduation, he continued working at American and Efird Mills, in the filament-synthetic thread division, retiring with the title of vice president of sales. His accounts consisted of companies like Florsheim, Saucony, and Nike.

During his time at Wingate College, Barry began playing tennis. While at Charlotte College, Barry was asked by Chancellor Bonnie Cone to create and manage their first tennis team.  He continued to play tennis for many years and earned the ultimate ranks of 11th in the South in the Men’s 35 Singles division, 3rd in NC in the Men’s 35 Doubles division, and 6th in NC in the Men’s 35 Singles division. As a result of his many successes in tennis he was inducted into the Mt. Holly Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He considered this award to be the highest honor he ever received. 

Barry was involved in the community. He joined the Mt. Holly Jaycees in 1965, serving in many roles, and earned the Key Man and Distinguished Service Awards. While Barry served as president, the Mt. Holly Jaycees was recognized as the number one club for outstanding achievement at the 1970 Jaycees convention. From 1971-1972, he served as president of the Mt. Holly Rotary Club. He served as a consultant on the installation of the East Gaston High School tennis courts. He coached a little league baseball team, youth basketball, and was instrumental in in establishing a recreation park in Mt Holly. He gave numerous career day speeches on the textile industry at Mt. Holly High School.

He retired from American & Efird Mills after 33 years. In his retirement, he bought Marlboro Country Club in Bennettsville, SC, and ran the club until his death. He enjoyed big game hunting and went on the Kiamichi Big Buck Classic hunt in Oklahoma annually for over 30 years.

He loved his family, and his grandkids brought him much joy in his retirement. He had a great sense of humor and leaves those who knew him with many good stories.

A graveside service honoring Barry will be held Thursday, June 9, at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Gardens, 1508 Charles Raper Jonas Hwy., Mt. Holly, followed by a visitation with the family from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 300 S Main St., Mt. Holly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 300 S Main St., Mt. Holly, NC, 28120 https://fbcmountholly.org/giving/ or Gaston Hospice at https://www.caromonthealth.org/Services/Hospice-Palliative-Services/Donate.aspx.

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