Donald Lee Rice, 66, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2014 in a local health care facility.
Donald was the son of the late Mamie Belle Dillard Rice and Walter Gillespie Rice; and was also preceded in death by his brothers, Edward, Walter A. and James R. Rice; and his nephew, Walter G. “Dickie” Rice.
He was a Vietnam War Veteran serving in the U. S. Army. He received the Purple Heart for his service. Donald was retired from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #43 where he was a 45 year member. He was a member of the V. F. W., a past member of the Elk’s Lodge and he was a member of the American Legion Post #81 where he was a Past Commander. Donald never met a stranger and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing guitar and he loved to cook and would cook for everyone! He was a member of the Candies Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine Rice of Cleveland; his daughter, Codie Lea Rice also of Cleveland; his sisters, Nola Kaye Hale and her husband Edward and Patricia Kelly all of Dayton, TN; his brother, Tony M. Rice of Mora, MN; his mother and father-in-law, Bernice and Floyd Peels of Tellico Plains, TN; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted Saturday, January 11 at 1 p.m. from the North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes with Reverend Jamie Work officiating. Interment will follow in the Veterans Section of the Fort Hill Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Military Honors will be given.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, January 10 at the North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes who has charge of the arrangements.