Don Rice's Obituary
Donald Eugene “Don” Rice, 82, a former resident of Howard, Kansas passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at his current home in Derby, Kansas. Don was born on February 28, 1940 to JB and Dorothy (Smith) Rice in Iola, Kansas, the second of four children. He grew up primarily in Iola and later in Wichita where he met and married Ellen Jane Butler in 1956; she was 14 and he, 16.
After Don graduated from high school, he joined the armed forces serving his country in the United States Navy from 1961 until 1965 when he was injured in an explosion, losing partial sight and some mobility. This injury didn’t stop Don. Upon his honorable release from the Navy, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Friend’s University in Wichita, Kansas. Don taught for several years including at West Elk High School in Howard. He and Ellen also owned the Howard Meat Locker for a time. Ultimately, Don took a job in law enforcement with the Howard Police Department and retired as the Chief of Police after nearly 30 years of service to the community.
After retirement, Don got to spend time with his grandkids and was always such a font of knowledge and unconditional love. He and Ellen worked as a team raising their own family of three daughters that it just seemed such a natural transition from Dad to Grandpa. His selfless nature is something that many will remember, not only within his family unit, but the couple’s tendency to help complete strangers or truly anyone in need.
Don is survived by:
His three Daughters –
Polly Maher of Derby, Kansas
Peggy Springer of Macksville, Kansas
Patty Rice of Derby, Kansas
Sisters
Shirley (Jim) Jones of Sedgwick, Kansas
Karen Woods of Melvern, Kansas
Grandchildren
Josh (Tasha) Gibson of Howard, Kansas
Jennifer (Derek) MacKay of Leawood, Kansas
Jared (Tamara) Miller of Iowa
David Maher of Wichita, Kansas
Jessy Springer of Macksville, Kansas
Jill (Gary) Drake of Norwich, Kansas
Jacob Springer of Larned, Kansas
Aubri Rice of Derby, Kansas
Carlos Rice of Derby, Kansas
Jordyn Springer of Macksville, Kansas
As well as great grandson Ash Gibson of Japan and eight additional great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by
His parents, JB and Dorothy
His wife Ellen
And a brother, Richard Rice.
A memorial service to honor Don’s life will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 1:00pm at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
Memorial contributions have been suggested to Sedgwick County Zoo Education Scholarship Fund and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.
Online condolences can be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington St. P.O. Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349.
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Share a story where Don's kindness touched your heart.
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