Ronald James Tice

Ronald James Tice, Esq.; Devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023 at the age of 76. Ron was born in Toledo, OH on March 14, 1947 to Harry and Ruth Tice, the middle of three sons including older brother, Thomas Tice and younger brother, Robert Tice. Ron played football and basketball at Start High School, graduating in 1965. He received a football and academic scholarship to the University of Vermont where he played both offensive and defensive line. Ron was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and served as its Commander in 1968-69. He met many lifelong friends in his four years at UVM. In the summer of 1966, after his freshman year of college, he met Mary Lynn Wilhelm, and in his own words was “enchanted” by her. They married in 1969 and their love and respect for each other was obvious to all who knew them. They were blessed with two children Ryan, 1973 and Erin, 1974. Ron and Mary celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in May 2023. Ron went to law school at the University of Toledo, graduating as Valedictorian of his class in 1973. He began his law career at Behrendt, Gettys, and Tice in Toledo, specializing in employee benefits and ERISA law. In 1976, Ron joined the legal team at Marathon Oil Company. His distinguished career at Marathon took them to cities across the United States, including an assignment in Washington, D.C. during which he and Mary were guests at Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural ball. In 1985, Ron returned to Toledo for an opportunity to become partner at Eastman and Smith, LTD in the Business Law division. Ron led the Business Law Division and served as Managing Partner of Eastman and Smith from 2009 to 2011. He retired in 2022, after a great legacy of leadership at the firm and with many lifelong friends. Ron was a member of the Toledo and Ohio Bar Associations for 50 years. Ron was a voracious reader, generally completing multiple books a week. A self-taught gourmet chef, he read cookbooks as if they were novels, and created amazing dishes from memory after a single reading of their ingredients. He loved to host his many close friends for dinner parties, always creating something extraordinary. Ron and Mary have been long time residents and members of Stone Oak Country Club in Holland, Ohio where Ron served on the Club Executive Board for several years. They enjoyed golfing together and have made many special and lasting friends at Stone Oak. They were avid travelers and particularly loved Florence, Italy, Cayman Island and Palm Springs, California. But their favorite trips were always to visit their children and grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Tom. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Ryan (Stephanie); daughter, Erin (Jay); grandchildren, Lauren, Camryn, Auden, and Christian; brother, Bob (Beth); nephews, Dan and Harry; niece, Bobbi (Erik); grand-nephews, Maverik and Monroe; and grand-niece, Liliana. Ron was always a loving and generous son-in-law, brother-in-law, and uncle to the Wilhelm family. Ron was a man of many distinctions: Lawyer. Counselor. Mentor. Friend. Lover of Life. Consummate Host. Traveler. Chef Extraordinaire. The world is a different place today without him. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ron’s name to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Foundation, The University of Vermont, or The University of Toledo. A celebration of Ron’s amazing life will be held in the spring. Please view and sign our online “guest registry” at CoyleFuneralHome.com

Ronald James Tice

March 14, 1947 - November 24, 2023