George L Grice

Dr. George Luman Grice, age 79, of Chicago, Illinois passed away in his home November 18, 2025. He was born on May 15, 1946, in Galesburg, Illinois to Wrenn Routh and Evelyn Janette (Luman) Grice. George grew up on his family’s farm just outside of London Mills in Fulton County, Illinois. Memories from his childhood on the farm were something George later enjoyed eloquently sharing with family and friends.

George attended Spoon River Valley High School, graduating in 1964. He participated in band, chorus, Robed Choir, and Latin Club. He sang with his sister Leanne (Grice) Porch and cousins John Shortness and Janet (Shortness) Mottaz in The Singing Cousins, eventually recording an album together. He was an active member in the London Mills United Methodist Church. After graduating high school, George studied Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1968. During his time at Illinois, he was part of the debate team, which helped build his coaching and writing skills. George began his Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Rhetoric at Western Illinois University in the fall of 1968 but was drafted into the United States Army. His studies were put on pause while he completed 2 years of military service. George returned to Western in 1971 and obtained his M.A. He continued his education at The University of Texas Austin, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Address and Communication in 1976.

George served in the United States Army from 1969 through 1970. He received basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana where he was promoted to the rank of Specialist Four and served as Chaplain’s Assistant assigned to Chapel Three and the Post Sunday School. He later served at the Religious Retreat Center in Seoul, South Korea. He received high praise for his service from the Army Chaplain directing the Retreat Center. He held fond memories of his work in South Korea for the rest of his life.

George always considered himself a teacher rather than a professor and appreciated a quote from Elspeth Davies Rostow, “I enjoy the simple act of teaching, it’s enticing people into the world of ideas.” And that he did, inspiring many undergraduate and graduate students throughout his teaching career, coaching students and co-authoring various papers with them. He taught at Trinity University from 1974 to 1983, Sam Houston State University from 1983 to 1986, Auburn University at Montgomery from 1987 to 1989, Radford University from 1990 to 2008. George was the recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the Southern States Communication Association's Excellence in Teaching Award. He also worked as an author and communication consultant from 1976 to 2018. George’s book, Mastering Public Speaking, which he co-authored with John F. Skinner and later Daniel H. Mansson, is in its 10th edition. This book was the first public speaking book with a chapter dedicated wholly to speaker and listener ethics and an additional chapter dedicated to managing speaker nervousness. It has remained one of the most widely adopted college speech textbooks in the United States.

Throughout his life, George devoted significant time and resources to various philanthropic causes. He set up two endowments at Western Illinois University: The Grice Family Education Endowment Fund and the George L. Grice Faculty Instructional Endowment Fund. Upon his sister Carol’s passing, he set up The Carol J. Major Legacy Fund through CurePSP. George also supported The Salvation Army, was a lifelong member of the American Forensic Association, the NAACP, and the National Communication Association, and belonged to the Society for American Baseball Research.

After retiring from Radford, George moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he enjoyed being near his beloved Chicago Cubs, frequenting the many food options nearby, his favorite being the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. He made friends with those around him and had a way of making everyone feel special and important through his thoughtful actions and kind words. He cared deeply for people and often added their concerns to his prayers; he was studious in Bible study and really enjoyed picking hymns to listen to and sing during the week. He continued to revise and edit Mastering Public Speaking, researched and shared interesting family and historical facts with family and friends, and continued his philanthropic activities through the end of his life.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Wrenn and Evelyn Grice, his sisters, Carol Janette Major and Leanne Louise Porch, his nephew, Mark Edward Major, and his cousins, Diann L. (Fleisher) Brooks and Charles Grice. He is survived by his cousins, John (Pamela) Shortness, Janet (Ted) Mottaz, Ernie Shortness and David (Joyce) Fleisher; brother-in-law, Michael Porch; nieces and nephews, Erik (Amanda) Major, Beth (Dave) James, Rachel (Greg) Porch Williams, Sarah Porch-Dixon, Noah Porch, Enoch Porch, Gabriel (Alaina) Porch, Joshua (Rebekah) Porch and great nieces and nephews, Kate (Peter) Dobler; Zachary and Daisy Major; Carter and Eli James; Hunter, Isaac, Billy and Elizabeth Williams; Michael, Emilee, David, Sarah, and Anna Dixon; Routh, Everly, and Eleanor Porch; and great, great nieces, Rowan and Aspen Dobler.

Cremation rites have been accorded with a memorial service to be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the London Mills United Methodist Church, London Mills, Illinois. A time of visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Military honors will be given at East Midway Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grice Family Education Endowment Fund at Western Illinois University via this link, https://bit.ly/WIU_Grice_Family_Scholarship or mailed to Western Illinois University Foundation 303 Sherman Hall, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, or to London Mills United Methodist Church, P.O Box 236 London Mills, IL 61544. Moore Memorial Home, Avon, is handling the arrangements.