WICHITA, KAS. — James (Jim) Kice, co-founder of Kice Industries, died July 18. He was 84 years old.
In 1945, Jim Kice co-founded the Wichita-based business, which was then known as Kice Metal Products Co., with his father, Bill, and his brothers Russell and Jack. Jim Kice for many years was vice-president of production for Kice Industries, which makes equipment for the milling industry, and became board chairman in 1985, when Russell retired and stepped down from that position. According to the company web site, Jim began his career in the early 1940s, fabricating flour mill machinery for Forster Manufacturing Co. of Wichita.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Sea Bee, building landing fields and other facilities in the Pacific Islands.
Survivors include his wife, Arline; two sons, Ed, who is vice-president of production and board chairman of Kice Industries, and Dave, who is president of Kice’s wholly owned subsidiary, CFM Corp., in Blackwell, Okla.; a daughter, Margery; and seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
His brothers, Russell and Jack, preceded him in death in 2003.
Visitation is July 23 from 5-8 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home in Wichita, and a funeral service will be held on July 24, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: the Mission Aviation Fellowship, attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 47, Nampa, ID 83653.