Richard Allen "Dick" Rice

Mr. Richard Allen Rice entered this world in the small western New York village of Portville. Born to Forest and Belle Rice, he was the fifth of six children. Dick, as he was called, attended Portville schools and graduated in 1954 from Portville Central High School.

After high school, Dick joined the United States Army. After three years, he traded his Army greens for Air Force blues. In July 1958, at a beach party, Dick met a young lady named Dona. On December 22, 1958, they were married. Three weeks shy of 55 years later, they were separated by death when Dona passed away. In the intervening years, however, they raised five children. Heydad, as he was now known, was blessed to enjoy thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Another great grandchild, expected in February, will miss out on knowing Heydad.

While in the Air Force, Dick worked in the Gemini and Apollo Space programs as a missile technician. He felt honored to have served his country in such historic endeavors. In 1967, Dick retired from the U.S. Air Force with an honorable discharge and went to work for General Electric in the same space programs. After the Apollo space program ended, Dick took advantage of the GI Bill to receive a Bachelor’s degree in 1971 from Rollins College by taking night classes.

Eventually, Dick and Dona decided they wanted to live somewhere other than Florida. They enjoyed visits to his brother Jim and his wife, Gloria, in McEwen. So Dick drove to Tennessee. With some experience as an instructor at West Point but no experience building houses, he was hired by the Humphreys County Board of Education as the teacher of its Trades and Industry Class. In September 1973, the family moved to Waverly. Over the next 11 school years, he and his students built or restored eleven houses. As a condition of employment, he attained his teaching certificate. He also earned a Master’s degree in Education. Many of his former students say the reason they have made a living in building trades is because of Mr. Rice’s classes. The next 10 years, Mr. Rice directed the Cooperative Education program at the Humphreys County Vocational Center and taught remedial and life skills classes. Mr. Rice retired from full-time teaching in 1985.

At about this time, Dona became a travel agent which afforded them the opportunity to travel to Europe, Mexico and all over North America. As a lover of World War II history, he especially enjoyed his multiple trips to Europe. Dick was an active member of the Waverly United Methodist Church since 1974, serving in various capacities. He joined the Gideons and was passionate about distributing Bibles. He routinely gave Testaments to the guards at the gates at Fort Campbell. Every nurse who tended to him received a Testament. With his Gideon brothers, he distributed Bibles to local hotels and schools. He carried Gideon Bibles when traveling to restock hotel rooms as needed. For many years, when he was able, early Saturday mornings were reserved for the Gideons prayer meeting.

Much more could be said about the life of Richard Rice. His kindness and generosity. His gentle spirit. His incredibly sharp intellect. His cornball Dad humor. His intense love for his wife. His intense love of his children and grandchildren. His love of all of the people in his life. His contentment borne of blessings God granted that he never expected to receive in life. His steady faithfulness. In these days and the days leading up to these days, his family has been told many times by many people that Richard Rice was among the greatest men they had ever known.

Left behind to cherish these memories and thousands more are his children, Judith Rice, Bonnie Durham (Wayne), David Rice (Courtney), and Sandra Rice-Cranford (Jay); grandchildren, Keith Rice, Jarod Rice, Samantha Judd Shelton (Darel), Alex Judd, Toby Rice (Rachael), Leah Rice, Aaron Rice (Kate), Levi Rice (Elisabeth), Sophie-Belle Rice, Evangeline Rice, James Rice, Havalah Rice and Ruthie Rice; four great grandchildren; foster sister, Rochelle Palmer; many loving nieces and nephews; his little dog, Annie; and friends and admirers too numerous to count.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Forest and Belle Rice; siblings, Robert, David, John, James, and Marilyn; beloved wife, Dona; and son, Samuel.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00pm Friday, January 2nd at Humphreys County Funeral Home and from 12:00pm until service time Saturday, January 3rd at the Waverly United Methodist Church.

Funeral Services for Mr. Rice will be conducted at 2:00pm Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Waverly United Methodist Church with his son, David Rice officiating.

Interment will follow in Wyly Cemetery.

Arrangements by Humphreys County Funeral Home (931) 296-5955