John Robert Hice

John Robert Hice of West Chester, Ohio, was born: March 3, 1938 and was called home at the age 86 on October 2, 2024. He is mourned by his wife Judith Ann Hice (nee Brown), his son Robert Earl Hice (Teresa), and is preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Lorraine Hice. Step grandson Terry Anderson (Karla) and Step great grandson Andrew Holden, his nieces Carrie Keller (Paul), Kim Crawford (Justin), Lisa Geiger, and nephews Scott Brown (Lisa Marie), and David Brown. Grandnieces and grandnephews, Andrew Keller (Katelin), Kaylee, Hannah and Joshua Crawford, Andrew, Ava and Elisabeth Geiger, Carter Brown and Abigail and Isabel Brown. Along with his Brother in law George (Ginny) Brown. He was preceded in death by his brother Tom Hice.

 John was born in a small steel town in Butler, Pennsylvania, to Mary Lou (McClung) Hice, and Frances Robert Hice. On May 18, 1945 he became a big brother to Richard Thomas Hice. He started participating in Boy Scouts at young age and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 16. He stayed active in scouting all the way through college. At Butler Senior High School he was very active in Football, Debate, Track running the 200 and hurdles. He was also active in Drama and was in many plays. He graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1956, and received a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where he majored and received a Bachelors in Design and Advertising. He participated in the university’s co-op program at McAlpines for 2 years working in their advertising department. While in college he joined the Acacia Fraternity and served as their president for several years, he even stayed active in Acacia after his graduation. After collage John went to work at GP Gundlach advertising and continued working there for 4 years. In 1966 John left GP Gundlach to start his own advertising and printing business named Best Impressions located in Blue Ash, Ohio. In 1985 John retired and sold his business.

In 1959 he meet the love of his life, JUDITH ANN BROWN, at an Acacia fraternity rush party. They dated for 2 years and were married on January 13, 1962. John and Judy also graduated in that year and they went on to start their life together of almost 63 years. They purchased their first home in 1964, on Erie Ave. in Cincinnati. Then in June of 1972 they purchased their home in West Chester, Ohio. There they continued to raise their family. In April of this year they moved to Barrington of West Chester.

 On August 30, 1962 John and Judy became the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy, named ROBERT EARL HICE. Two years later on August 19, 1964 they were blessed with a beautiful daughter named DEBORA LORRAINE HICE. John was always very active in his Children’s lives. When Bob joined Boy Scout troop 990 he became the assistant scout master, was an assistant coach for Debbie’s soccer teams. He remained in these positions for many years.

John had many hobbies. One of his favorite pass times was his painting. He loved to paint wildlife, in particularly loved to create scenes with birds. After their trip to Mexico he became interested in creating Aztec art.

 John was always active in both his church and community.

In 1972/73 John was very active in his church, Christ the King Lutheran. He was on the building committee, both in helping to raise funds for their new building and procuring the land that Christ the King built and sits on currently, on Dimmick Rd. in West Chester.

John never stepped back from Boy Scouts, he continued to be involved in Scouting even after he graduated college. For years John served as President of both the Cincinnati Dan Beard council and the butler county division. Along with being an assistant scout master.

In 1974 John and Judy were instrumental in starting the Say Soccer program in West Chester. He served as the President for the West Chester Say soccer for many years. He was also influential in starting both the Mason and Liberty Township Say Soccer programs. Not only was he the assistant coach for Debbie’s soccer team He for many years was also a referee for soccer and taught refereeing. The Say Soccer organization would send John all over the states to teach refereeing.

In 1975/76 John served on the Pisgah USA bicentennial committee.

In 1976/77 He was a founding member of the committee that developed Keehner Park on Barret Rd. in West Chester.

In 1983/84 John served on the committee that developed and procured the land for the Lebanon YMCA.

After Judy retired in 2005 they joined the Cincinnati Airstream Club. They traveled as far north to Alaska and Canada, and as far south as Mexico and everywhere in between. They even loaded their truck and camper on a ferry so they could visit Newfoundland and Labrador. They participated in 23 caravan trips. John and Judy traveled for approximately 9 months out of the year until 2012.

When John and Judy were not traveling they volunteered as ushers at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati. They were in the first group of ushers when the Aronoff Center opened. They volunteered for 20 years and while ushering were able to see hundreds of performances 

After traveling for 7 years, in 2014 John and Judy decided to become snowbirds and purchased a trailer in Dade City, Fl. Usually snow birding from November to April each year. They did this for 20 years until the winter 2023/24.

John loved all of his family. John and Judy became like parents to their niece Carrie after her parents had passed away. They treated her son Drew like he was a grandchild. John and Drew had a special relationship, Drew even asked John to be an usher at his and Katelin’s wedding. What made the day even more special was that John walked Carrie down the aisle as the Mother of the groom.

John never knew a stranger, he made friends where ever he went and is leaving hundreds and hundreds of friends that will miss him greatly, some he has known for 50+ years. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Middletown.

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.