TRUE LOVE’S
Journey JIM TICE
By Vanessa Carlson Bender
Before becoming a renowned jewelry artist in Western South Dakota, Jim Tice grew up in Alliance, Nebraska with a love for sports. He later played basketball in college for a few years before serving in the Navy in the 1960s. He was stationed in Key West, Florida, a “hot spot” in the aftermath of the Cuban missile crisis.
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After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a special education degree, Jim ended up taking a job at Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle factory, where he worked for the next 14 years, eventually working his way up to manager of the rod manufacturing factory. Still, Jim wanted to do something more creative, so he worked as a traveling costume jewelry salesman for a friend, which is how he met the love of his life, Nettie. This is where his creative career truly began.