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When planning how to celebrate Jim Stice’s 101st birthday party on Jan. 6th, his daughter Susan knew there was one thing that had be on the menu - chocolate.

“We had to have a big old chocolate cake for dessert because he is a chocoholic,” Susan said. “We had enough to feed an army. It was dark chocolate with chocolate chips and a chocolate ganache filling and big frosting dollops on top.”

The cake was big enough that Jim got to enjoy leftovers for a week, and Susan’s brother from Atlanta was able to take some home to the grandchildren.

In addition to the cake, Jim also enjoyed a dinner of Walleye from a local restaurant.

“Dad used to fish for them in Canada,” Susan said. “It was one of his favorite catches, and we wanted his dinner to include a fun little hook.”

Jim celebrated his birthday with a small gathering of family - the big gathering happened the year before on his 100th birthday. He received a University of Missouri sweatshirt - a token of his alma mater, where he earned a degree in journalism - and was able to take in a playoff victory by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chocolate, however, ruled the day.

“Walleye fishing, golf, and chocolate were his hobbies,” Susan said. “I’ve about been excommunicated from the family because I like vanilla.”

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