Tommy L. Grice

Tommy L. Grice, 63, passed from this life into the Loving Arms of our Heavenly Father at 10:42 PM on January 15, 2018.Tommy had been baptized into the Lutheran Faith and was a true believer in Our Lord and His Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tommy had been aresident at Plaza West for ten months after being hospitalized two months beginning January 14, 2017. From that date he was never able to walk again.He was diagnosed with a rare infection in the brain and in March was given just a short time to live. However, he had other ideas and fought long and hard to keep going. He was able to celebrate a new granddaughter, another birthday, our 9th wedding anniversary, Christmas and a New Year. The nurses, aides, social workers and everyone at Plaza West took excellent care of him.

Tommy was born August 6, 1954, in Topeka, Kansas the youngest child of Jesse and Ruth (Sewell/ Lyons) Grice. He moved with his family as a baby to Midland, Texas where his Daddy worked on the oil rigs. In 1965 they returned to Topeka to be closer to family here, and Tommy attended Quincy Elementary, Holliday Junior High in 7th grade and Curtis Junior High for 8th and 9th grade. He attended Topeka High for a short time and later earned his GED while in the Air Force. On June 9, 1972, he was joined in marriage to Denise Y. Pence at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka. To this union a son, Tommy L. Grice II was born. Tommy volunteered to join the military and left for basic training on December 20, 1972. He was a dog handler in the Special Police and was stationed in both Plattsburgh, New York and South Korea. He and Denise later separated and were divorced. After several years there was no further communication between them.

In September 2007, Denise located Tommy in California and contacted him by letter. After 34 years and tens of thousands of miles, they reconnected and were married again on October 2, 2008 in Chula Vista, California. Tommy moved back to Topeka in early 2009, and while Denise believes he never entirely quit missing California, he remarked many times how he loved the changing of the seasons and the thunderstorms in Kansas and had not realized how much he missed them until he experienced them again.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Mary L. Grice, his brothers Wayne Lyons and John Lyons, a special nephew, Curtis Dale Belletto and his best friend through his life whom he met at Quincy Elementary, Melvin Tillman. He is survived by his wife, Denise and their Golden Retriever, Molly; his son Tommy (Erin) and Erin's son, Wyatt Humphrey all of Topeka; his stepson Daniel Gillenwater (Kristen) and their children, Vivianne, Daniel and Evangeline all of Overland Park, Kansas; his sister in law, Janice Pence of Edmonds, Washington, and her children, Chelsea Sims Harris of

Seattle, Washington and Garrett Sims of Sheridan, Oregon; his sister, Patsy Sue (Charles deceased) Belletto and his brother,Jesse (Glenda deceased) Grice both of Alvin, Texas.

At Tommy's request, cremation has taken place and no formal service is planned. Private Interment at Penwell Gabel Cemetery (formerly Memorial Park) will take place later in the Spring. If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka KS 66604.