John Edward Rice was born August 11, 1940, in Hamilton, Ohio, to John Frank and Marie Ann (Geier) Rice. He died Wednesday, September 8, 2021, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 81 years. John was reared and educated in Oxford, Ohio, and was a graduate of Talawanda High School. He was married January 21, 1961, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Barbara Joan Miller. John worked for the Pepsi Cola Company and was self-employed with Husman’s Potato Chips, both in Hamilton, Ohio. He was a retired Supervisor of Weights and Measures for the Butler County Auditor’s Office and served as President of Ohio Weights and Measures for one term. He was the supervisor of Ushers for the Athletic Department at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Throughout the years he farmed and drove a school bus for the Talawanda School District, Oxford, Ohio. He volunteered for the Oxford Ohio Visitors Center. He was a lifetime member of the Hamilton Fraternal Order of Eagles #3986, and served as a Trustee. In Owasso, Oklahoma, John was a faithful member of Rejoice Church where he was active with Drama Ministries, Hospitality, Prime Timers, golf cart attendant, and also led a weekly small group.
John enjoyed a variety of pastimes including turkey shoots, camping, boating, traveling, and ordering gadgets on Amazon. He loved his family, his friends, and his pets.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
His wife; Barbara, of the home
Two daughters; Tonya Lacey and husband David, of Port Orange, Florida
Tammy Briggs and husband Chuck, of Owasso, Oklahoma
Grandchildren; Bartley Dixon, of Tulsa
Sawyer Dixon, of Tulsa
Dylan Lacey, of Port Orange, Florida
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family would like to extend a most gracious thank you to John’s care team at the Tulsa location of Oklahoma Cancer Specialist and Research Institute for their sincere compassion and personal care. This includes Dr. Ali Moussa, Stacy Newberry PA, and their entire staff, Pharmacy staff Daryl and Linda, and Valet Kim Phillips. Utica Park Clinic, Primary Care Dr. Dana Morrell and staff. Bailey Hospital in Owasso, thank you to all doctors, nurses, staff and hospice for making John’s journey more peaceful and comfortable. Thank you Rejoice Church, Pastor Casey Cariker, staff and congregation for prayers and support. Thank you to Pastor Lenny and Carolyn Pirtle for your prayers and comfort. Thank you, Steve Mowery with Mowery Funeral Service.
Funeral service for John will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso, Oklahoma. Private family disposition will be held at a later date. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in John’s memory to the OCS Cares fund, https://ocsri.org/about/oklahoma-cancer-specialists-cares-fund/
Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
www.moweryfs.com
