RICE, Donald Eugene "Don" - b. February 28, 1940 - d. July 9, 2022

[patyrn]

Donald Eugene "Don" Rice, 82, a former resident of Howard, Kansas, passed away on July 9. 2022 at his home in Derby, Kansas.  He was born on February 28, 1940 in Iola, Kansas to J.B. and Dorothy (Smith) Rice, the second of four children.

Don grew up primarily in Iola and later in Wichita, Kansas where he met and married Ellen Jane Butler in 1956.  She was 14 and he was 16.  After Don graduated from high school, he joined the armed forces serving his country in the United States Navy from 1961 till 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 Friends 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, and it just seemed such a natural transition from Dad to Grandpa.  His selfless nature is something that many will remembers, 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, Kanas, Peggy Springer of Macksville, Kansas, and Patty Rice of Derby, Kansas; sisters, Shirley (Jim) Jones of Sedgwick, Kansas and Karen Woods of Melvern, Kansas;  grandchildren,  Josh (Tasha) Gibson of Howard, Kansas, Jennifer (Derek) MacKay of Leawood, Kansas, Jared (Tamera) 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, and Jordyn Springer of Macksville, Kansas; and a great-grandson, Ash Gibson of Japan and eight additional great-grandchildren.  Don was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. 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 1:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Burial will take place at Cresco Cemetery near Howard.   Memorial contributions have been suggested to Sedgwick County Zoo Education Scholarship Fund and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)