Mr. Howard Robert Hice Sr. age 93 of Green Cove Springs formerly of Keystone Heights

October 18, 1926 - April 29, 2020

Howard Robert Hice, Sr, age 93, and a longtime resident of Northeast Florida passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Haven Hospice in Orange Park, FL. Mr. Hice was born October 18, 1926, in Neptune Beach, New Jersey to Joseph and Lillian (Bennett) Hice. He served in the United States Navy, was based at Mayport Naval Station and upon his honorable discharge in 1946, made Northeast Florida his permanent home, residing in Jacksonville, Keystone Heights, and finally Green Cove Springs upon his passing. After a long career with Capitol Concrete and Florida Rock Industries, Mr. Hice retired and created H.R.H. Safety & Health Systems, Inc.He was a past president of the Associated General Contractors of North Florida, a Board Member of AIG Self Insurers Fund, an Honorary Shriner, a Community Rotary Club member, and Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Hice was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church in Keystone Heights and First Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville. He loved the Lord, his Family, and the Florida Gators, in that order. In addition to his parents Mr. Hice was also preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his four children Frances Ida (Babb) Hice; a grandson Dustin Mark Joyce and siblings Joseph Hice and Frances Hice. Left behind is his wife of 34 years Dona (Merserve) Hice; children Howard R. Hice, Jr. (Cindy), Beverly Jean Ginn (Earle) both of Fernandina Beach, Larry Clayton Hice (Alix) of Ponte Vedra, Joy Lynn Hastings (Steve) of Fernandina Beach, and step daughter Michele Gillis (Randy) of Green Cove Springs. Mr. Hice was lovingly called Granddaddy by nineteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Hice will be announced at a later date due to current Covid 19 restrictions. Interment will be at Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made @beyourhaven.org in his name. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 East Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352) 473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com