John Jacob Brice

John Jacob Brice (Clarence Eugene McClain) was born November 9, 1935 in Natchez, MS.  He was the only son of the late Addie Brice (Rev. Johnnie Butler) and John McClain.

He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Zion Chapel #2 Church, Natchez, MS. He later joined St. James United Methodist Church, Kansas City, MO.

He attended Saint Francis High School in Natchez, MS graduating in 1955.  Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was placed in various training schools, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and Distinguished Honor Graduate in Signal School, Europe.

After an honorable discharge from the service in 1958, he moved to Kansas City, MO and began an impressive 55-year career at Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (formerly Bendix Aviation Corporation and Bendix Kansas City Division of Allied-Signal).  He was a gifted innovator, troubleshooter and the first black Engineering Technologist at the plant. 

He and a best friend were also in business installing commercial and residential security systems. At one time, he was considered the best in Kansas City.

He was a great husband and father with a big heart. He would help anybody. He had a great sense of humor and loved jazz music.  Although he was a very private man, he could socialize and hold a conversation with the best of them.  He lived to play dominoes! He played dominoes every Sunday evening with some of the same friends over fifty years.  

In later years, he met and married his last great love, Nicki Waller Brice. They both worked in technical fields, shared a love for nature and made beautiful memories over the years cruising, fishing, and traveling in their motorhome.

He was preceded in death by his parents Addie Brice and John McClain; his brother, Fred Clark; his daughter, Tonya Brice.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Nicki Waller Brice of Grandview, MO; his sister, Carolyn Smith Ellis of Humble, TX; his children; Shani Harrison of Grandview, MO, Erika Brice of Kansas City, MO, Ashley Warren of Murfreesboro, TN, Morris “Neel” Campbell II of Kansas City, MO; his grandchildren, Paige Smith of Grandview, MO, Lea Marie Seiber of Murfreesboro, TN, Gavyn Smith of Grandview, MO, Tiron Smith of Grandview, MO, Morris “Tre” Campbell III of Kansas City, MO, Maxwell “Nico” Campbell of Grandview, MO; nephew, Deonte Moore of Humble, TX.  He also leaves to cherish a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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