Obituary of Robert "cochise" Grice

Robert Cochise Grice, 43, passed away at home, on Monday, July 13, 2020. Cochise was born in Pensacola, Florida on Thursday, August 26, 1976 to Bobby Joe and Judith D. Grice. He attended J.M. Tate High School where he gained a love for the pageantry arts as a member of the Tate High School Showband of the South, joining their award-winning drumline. Soon after, he began to learn skills for color guard from a host of local instructors and performers which led to coaching several units in the Gulf Coast area including Southwind, Drum and Bugle Corps. Cochise was well known for his love of cooking, and he truly enjoyed making his homemade lasagna, potato salad, mango salsa, gumbo, spicy sausage dip, and chili to share with friends and family. He had a passion for the wellbeing of others above himself. He was known for providing a safe retreat for friends in despair and taking food, blankets, and other necessities to the homeless and less fortunate. Cochise worked with Escambia Aids Services and Education (EASE) of Pensacola for several years providing testing, counseling and outreach services promoting healthy lifestyle habits. His motto was always “If I can help one person...” He has helped hundreds, in turn, positively affecting hundreds more. In 2005, Cochise was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; a cancer he successfully beat in 2006. In 2013, he founded D.R.I.V.E.N.(Delivering Recycled Innovation and Valuable Educational Needs); a non-profit social revitalization project to connect advocacy, education, innovation, and prevention services to persons with disabilities, students at risk, and the economically disadvantaged in our area. Cochise was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Joe Grice; his great niece, Raigan Knight and great-nephew, Jack Ransom. He is survived by his mother, Judy Grice; three sisters, Dani Knight, Rhela McCoy, and Shauna Grice; one brother, Michael Briggs; four nephews, five nieces four great-nieces, three great-nephews; and his loving and faithful partner of sixteen years, Jason Widerstrand. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020, visitation at 5:00 p.m. and service at 6:00 p.m. at Family-Funeral & Cremation, 5627 North Davis Highway, Pensacola, Florida, with Jason Harvey officiating.