Vernon Lee 'Pete' Grice was born Dec. 7, 1929 in Pueblo, Colo. He was the fifth of ten children born to the late Arthur Otwell Grice and Albirdie (Peak) Grice. He was called from labor to reward at Milford Memorial Hospital on March 26, 2015. Pete graduated from Colorado Springs High School. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force - Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged Nov. 2, 1954 at the rank of Staff Sgt. He then obtained an Associate of Science Degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. His additional educational studies included courses from the University of Alaska, University of Florida, Miami Dade Jr. College, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College. In 1957 Pete married his wife Phyllis Ella Stallings and from this loving union are two sons and three daughters. They were also foster parents to many children. Pete had a long and prosperous career. As a Chef, he worked for the Antlers Hotel and Chioita Park Tea Room in Colo.; the Stamford Yacht Club, Middlesex Memorial Hospital, St. Johns School for Boys, and the Madison Winter Club in Connecticut; and the Cadillac Hotel in Miami, Fla. He was the Food Service Director of 21 centers of the Children's Day Care Center Program in Miami, Fla. As an educator, he was an instructor at Manpower Training Program in Miami, a teacher at Miami Jackson Senior High, and a teacher at Sussex Vocational Technical High School in Georgetown, Del. Pete is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, James Hinton (Dollie), Dawn Grice, Myra Huff (Kenneth), Philip Grice (Elaine), and Jennifer Grice of Del.; sisters, Florine Mitchell; Elizabeth J. Boyd and Alice Lovett of Colorado Springs; brother, Manuel Grice, of Idaho; grandchildren, David, LaVerne, Phyllis, James, Kem, Mark, Philip, Orlando, Jordan, and Kenneth; great-grandchildren and a host of special cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Otwell Grice and Albirdie (Peak) Grice; brothers, Arthur Otwell Grice Jr., Albert Grice, Edgar Grice, and Melvin Grice; sister, Melba Grice; and grandson, Michael Hinton. The service will be Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Church of God & Saints of Christ, 10016 Concord Road, Seaford, Delaware 19973 with a viewing one hour prior. Visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com to leave words of comfort.