Donald Niel Trice

     Donald Niel Trice of Denton, MD passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2019, at The Pines in Easton, MD. He was 88 years old.

     Donald was born on June 29, 1931 at home in American Corner, Caroline County, MD. He was the son of the late Arthur Solomon Trice and Mildred H. Fisher Trice. Donald was a graduate of North Caroline High School in 1948. Following graduation, he began farming in Williston, MD. He then began hauling and delivery services, driving his own truck. Later, he drove for R.H. Stafford and Son Produce. He continued to work in various trades such as, T.V. antenna installations, carpentry for Cannon Wright, and heating and plumbing repairs. In 1953, Donald established himself as a building contractor and later he started a successful plumbing business, Trice Inc. In the years following, he expanded the plumbing business to include HVAC and septic services. He further expanded his business ventures into coin and gold exchange creating Coin & Gold, Silver Exchange, and Delmarva Jewelry.

    In 1980, Donald established Realty Plus. Later, Donald, along with his partner, Joe Quinn, established CM&D apartment housing. Donald and Joe further expanded their real estate venture in 1999 to include business and residential properties.

     Later on, Donald became involved in the community. He served on the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce, the Denton Board of Directors as Utilities Commissioner, and was an Advisor for Provident State Bank in Denton and Preston, MD. Donald also sponsored the women’s softball league and from 1962-1966. Donald, along with his late wife, Janice, coached their daughter, Susan Baynard’s softball team.

     Donald was well known for his humor, quick wit and story-telling. He would often bring smiles to the faces of those around him. He had a heart of compassion for others, especially those less fortunate. He was quick to help in times of need. He also enjoyed being outdoors working in his yard. Reading and coin collecting were his favorite hobbies. The love of his wife, family, friends, and pet cats, Boots and Sam were most important to him.

     Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Solomon Trice and Mildred H. Fisher Trice, his sister Jean Spence, and his late wife, Janice E. Trice. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Diane Johnson Trice of Denton, daughter, Susan E. Baynard of Greenwood, DE; two sons: Ronald J. Trice (Nancy) of Seaford, Timothy N. Trice (Libbey) of Denton; 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren; niece, Wanda Barnard-Haas and nephew, Dale Spence. He is also survived by J.D. “Tiny” Darling of Denton and Dorothy Blunt of Sandtown, DE both of whom he loved as his own children.

     Services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church located at 100 S. Fifth Ave., Denton, MD. Visitation will take place from 11 AM to 1PM followed by a 1 PM service. Interment will be held at the Denton Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to the Caroline County Humane Society, 407 West Belle Road, Ridgely, MD 21660 or the American Diabetes Association, 2002 Clipper Park, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21211 (www.diabetes.org/donate).

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