Celebration of Life Services

Friday, March 15, 2024
Visitation starts at 10:00 am
Service begins at 11:00 am
Second Baptist Church
3111 East Battlefield Road
Springfield, MO

Remembrances For John's Life

Grand Oak Mission Center
2854 W Grand Street
Springfield, MO 65802

Sandi asked me to draft this in advance—weird, but enjoyable.  Written on January 19, 1999 (and lightly edited by family)

John Rice went to Heaven on March 5, 2024, to see Jesus face to face.  He was born to Vera (Young) and Bert Rice on February 17, 1942.  He had a younger sister, Mary Ann (Rice) Hillman, who held a special place in his heart. He graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1960 and MIZZOU in 1964.  He enlisted with the US Army Reserves for six years and had basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  During college, he worked two summers at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.  Since John's father was a music teacher, John enjoyed playing trumpet in the high school and university bands.  He enjoyed parades, marching bands, orchestras, football games, camping, trips to Yellowstone with his grandkids, Silver Dollar City, Stained Glass Theatre, and cruises.  John studied insurance, hoping to go into sales, but the good Lord had other plans.  John joined Burns & McDonnell (B&M) in 1965 and was on the ground floor of Human Resources and College Campus Recruiting.  He saw B&M grow from 250 to 1,500 employees before retiring in 2001.  John had a sense of humor and enjoyed talking to people.  His humor came from his Grandma Rice.  But the most important people in his life were Jesus, his faithful wife Sandi, and his four children—Scott and Dena Rice, Christy and Kirk Jolly, Lori and Joe Pandolfo, and Kathy Rice.  He was blessed with nine grandchildren—Jacob Rice, Ellie and Charlie Trick, Wyatt Rice and Alexis Cook, Lexie and Zach Mueller; Jessica Jolly, Rachel and Jonathan Burkhalter, Sarah and Cameron Glenn; Aria Pandolfo and Auggie Pandolfo.  He has been doubly blessed with two great-granddaughters—Lylah and Avery Trick.   The family was graced with 140 foster children that God shared with them over an eight-year period in the 1970s through the 1980s.  In the last eighteen months, God gave John another son, Jeff Wells, whom he called his "Handler."  Jeff has been working with John twice a week sharing God's love with all who would listen (and some who did not want to hear).  John always reminded his children and others that there are three critical life decisions—accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, who you marry, and your career choice—in that order.  Jesus, Bible, and church were priorities to John, Sandi, and the Rice family in the younger years as it is today.

Get to know Jesus and I'll see you in Heaven!  John 3:16 Rice

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nsezou4v85c1ck5gw4fpp/Rice-Memorial-Final.mp4?rlkey=n21j40tf559mi5o68htcu43e2&dl=0