Astoria

June 6, 1957 — July 31, 2023

Our very cool brother, amazing uncle and great friend, Jeffery Lee Vice, passed away suddenly on July 31.

Jeff was born in Astoria to Harold (Ike) and Gail Vice on June 6, 1957. Both Ike and Gail preceded Jeff in death.

Jeff grew up at the Vice family home east of Astoria in Walluski, and it was there he passed away. Walluski was a kids’ paradise. About 40 kids lived on Little Walluski Road, and they had free reign to swim, ride bikes, build forts, go fishing and get in a lot of other mischief all day long. Parents watched out for their own kids and everyone else’s.

This childhood of freedom and adventure resulted in a circle of lifelong friends that have remained close, like family, their entire lives. Jeff was a loyal friend to many, often quietly doing things to be helpful to others.

Jeff attended Lewis and Clark Consolidated School and graduated from Astoria High School in 1975, where he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. Jeff had many interests and always took on new challenges. One challenge he began in high school was his lifelong project of restoring and maintaining his beautiful 1955 Chevrolet. This also involved a circle of great friends.

After graduating, Jeff worked in the Astoria area for a few years, and then moved to California. This is where he became a contractor, which became his profession and business. Jeff enjoyed living in California. He became a scuba diver and spent a lot of time diving off Catalina Island, one of his favorite places.

He returned to Oregon and resided in Astoria and Scappoose, operating his business as a contractor in all types of construction and maintenance between Portland, Beaverton, Scappoose and the North Coast.

Jeff was the guy who was always ready to help anyone, often showing up and lending a hand just when it was needed most. He had the skill set to repair, rebuild or find a solution to fix almost anything.

He enjoyed taking his boat out for fishing or crabbing trips, and hit the clam tides on a regular basis. He always shared his catch.

He was preparing to retire and spend the rest of his life at the Vice family home in Walluski.

Jeff is deeply missed and remembered by his sisters, Mary Parker and Jan (Robert) Hubbard; his nieces, Laura Parker (Tyler Lyngsted), Jill (Mike) and Sarah Weinstein and Brenda Esser (Jim Burnet); and nephews, Scotty Parker (Haylee Dundas) and Jameson Landwehr. Jeff is also survived by many close lifelong friends and their families, as well as friends he made while living in Scappoose, and those he had worked with and for the past many years.

Jeff had a heart of gold. He will be remembered for his tender heart, love of animals and wonderful, creative ways of expressing his feelings to those he loved.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Big O Saloon, 89523 Highway 202.