The Newspaper of Record since 1878
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Raymond Donald Brice Jr. at the age of 89 on Feb. 28, 2023. Don was born Feb. 18, 1934, in Claypool, Az. He is preceded in death by his mother Bessie Lorene Brice, his father Raymond Donald Brice Sr. and his dear brother Walter Brice. He is survived by his siblings, sister Mary Casillas and brothers Jim Brice and William (Mike) Brice. He is also survived by the “Love of his Life” and best friend until the end, his ex-wife Sharon Corn; his five children, Raymond Donald Brice III, David Brice, Chris Brice, Leah Hanwell and Jennifer Salas; and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
This loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be deeply missed. He will be forever remembered for his beautiful smile, gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace and unconditional love. Family was the pivotal essence of Don’s life.
He was a standout baseball player during his high school years, draft ed by the Detroit Tigers and ultimately ineligible because he was under the age of 18. After high school he joined the Air Force and served in the Korean War. He later attended the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, playing baseball for both universities.
His favorite hobby was scuba diving; he shared many wonderful stories of his adventures as an abalone diver in Morro Bay, Ca. in the early 1960s. He passed down this love of diving to all his children and most of his grandchildren. We all have many wonderful memories of boating and diving at Apache and Roosevelt Lakes. He was lucky enough to continue diving into his late 60s thanks to his son David, who became a dive master and scuba instructor; he traveled to the Virgin Islands and to Florida, where he was able to dive both the Atocha and the Spiegel Grove shipwrecks.
Don is now at peace, his final words: “Oh, I’m Alright” and “I Love You Baby!”
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Bulman Miles Funeral Home, located at 237 S. Sutherland St. in Globe, Az. Reception to follow at the 1916 Globe Train Depot Complex and Museum, located at 230 S. Broad St. in Globe.
