Harold Lee Vice, 78 of rural Frankfort passed away on July 20, 2021, following a heart attack while doing what he loved – tending to his farm. Harold or as some knew him as “Hal” was born October 25, 1942, to James R. Vice and Bonabell (Bogan) in Lafayette, IN.
Harold grew up in Mulberry, IN graduating from Mulberry High School in 1960. He received his Telegraphy certificate from Iowa Institute of Telegraphy in 1961. He worked as a Station Agent for Nickel Plate Railroad and for Alcoa in Lafayette, IN until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1964.
On June 19, 1966, Harold married Suzanne King, in Mulberry, IN. He left the USAF in 1969 to study at IU Bloomington achieving a B.S. in Business in 1970. While at IU his daughter, Tammy was born. Harold re-enlist in the USAF and shortly thereafter, he was accepted into Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. While stationed in Cheyenne, WY his son, Hank was born. In 1977, while working in the missile silo, Harold earned his MA in Transportation Management from Northern Colorado University. Throughout his 28 years of service to his country, his duty stations included Hawaii, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Wyoming, Mississippi, Texas, Iceland, Canada (where he learned to play and enjoyed being on a curling team), and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Harold retired in 1994 as a Lt. Colonel from Grissom AFB, IN where he transitioned active USAF operations to the Reserve Unit.
Prior to his retirement and return to Mulberry in 1994, Harold purchased land along the Kilmore creek starting his legacy for his children – his beloved Colonel’s Cove Tree Farm. In 2016, the house he spent 13 years building was finally ready to be occupied. While working his beloved tree farm he enjoyed tending to his bees, processing honey, and growing shiitake mushrooms.
During his retirement Harold was involved in the local community. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 11, Disabled Veterans of America, Camp Cullum, and Wildcat Conservation Club. He was a member of Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association, Bee Keepers of Indiana, Walnut Council, Community Foundation (Mulberry Scholarship Foundation), Mulberry Alumni Association, Air Force Association, USAA, and a 50-year member of the Mulberry Masonic Lodge 618. He was a past member of Mulberry Town Council, Community Club, Leadership Lafayette – Class 15, and Boy Scouts of America (Scout Master).
He is survived by his wife – Suzanne Vice of Frankfort; daughter – Tamara L. Mischel, Ph.D. and her husband Charles Tedrick of Mulberry; son – Harold L. Vice, II of Austin, TX; uncle – Howard and his wife Ivaloo Vice of Lafayette; sister – Deborah Rees of Frankfort; brother-in-law – Michael Padgett of Frankfort; brother-in-law – John King and his wife Beth of Mt. Juliet, TN; Grandchildren: Grayson and his wife Kirstie Tedrick of Ft. Collins, CO with great-granddaughter Kora; Harrison and his wife Brandi Tedrick of Iola, TX with their new addition expected January 2022; step-father – Jack Benge of St. Petersburg, FL; step-sister – Kathy Ashley of San Jose, CA; step-brother – Gale Payne of Lafayette; step-brother – Gary Payne of Des Moines, IA; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his father James Vice; mother Bonnie Benge; step-mother Alice Vice; sisters Colette Vice, Marilyn Ann Galvin, and Jill Padgett; and step-brother Lynn Payne.
Memorial services will be held Saturday August 21, 2021, at Genda Funeral Home, 204 N. Glick Street, Mulberry, IN. Calling hours are 11:00am – 1:00pm, with the Masonic and faith-based services starting at 1:00pm followed by a processional to Fair Haven Cemetery, 8518 W. Co Road 550 N. Mulberry, for the military honor service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to The Mulberry High School Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund sent to Clinton County Community Foundation, 215 W. Sycamore Street, Kokomo, IN 46901.
The family would like to extend a special ‘Thank You’ to Joe Root, Veteran Service Officer; Mike Padgett, Perry Township Fire Chief; Ben Knapp, Clinton Co Sherriff’s Deputy; Jason Stroup, Clinton Co Deputy Coroner; and Mark Genda for their care and concern during this time.
Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.