Raymond Russel Rice of Spring Hill, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 13, 2020. Ray was born on January 16, 1943, to Dorothy Schlenkert Rice and Russel O. Rice in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Ray is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nansie Kinney Rice, daughter Michele Ammond and son-in-law Joseph Ammond; daughter Lisa Cocking and son-in-law Timothy Cocking; and his five granddaughters: Kayleigh Ammond, Laurel Ammond, Bethany Cocking, Eliana Cocking and Micah Cocking; his younger brother James Rice, and many extended family members and friends. Ray was predeceased by his parents and his twin brother, Richard A. Rice.
Ray and Nansie lived for many years in Walled Lake and then Fenton, Michigan, before moving to Florida permanently in 2015.
Ray retired as a maintenance planner from the County of Oakland in Waterford, Michigan in 2001, after 33 years of service. Ray also served as a volunteer for 16 years with the Walled Lake, Michigan Police Department.
Ray was an active member of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, where he was in the 2020 Yokefellow Ministry, a member of the Berean Bible Fellowship Class, and served as an usher and greeter.
Ray was proud to have served with the United States Navy, being honorably discharged in January, 1964.
On Monday, January, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Ray will be buried with full military honors, accompanied by an honor guard of the Patriot Riders at Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
The service will be held outside. Face masks and social distancing are required during the ceremony and throughout the cemetery.
Eric & Nancy DeBoer (Friends)
December 20, 2020, 12:00 am
Dear Nansie & Family
We send you our deepest sympathy.May our prayers surround you with comfort.
Charlotte Young (Friend)
December 20, 2020, 12:00 am
My most sincere condolences to you and your family. He was such a fine man. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Caryn & Dan Lance (Friend)
December 21, 2020, 12:00 am
We were blessed to have known Ray through Nansie. I never remember any instance when Ray didn't greet everyone with a smile and conversation. Our hearts go out to Nansie and the girls and their families. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.
Caryn & Dan Lance (Friend)
December 21, 2020, 12:00 am
We were blessed to have known Ray through Nansie. I never remember any instance when Ray didn't greet everyone with a smile and conversation. Our hearts go out to Nansie and the girls and their families. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.
Cherl Zehnder (Friend)
December 21, 2020, 12:00 am
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Joseph A. Ammond (Father to his son-in-law, Joe)
December 21, 2020, 12:00 am
My condolences to Ray’s family and friends.
I knew Ray primarily through impressions and feedback from my son Joe, my loss not to have known him better. I know that Ray was liked, respected, and loved by Joe as a friend and father, minus the “in-law†suffix. One thing Joe will miss is chewing the fat with Ray on many subjects, MOPARS being number one. I do wonder if MOPARS vs BIMMERS might have become number two in recent years.
Rest In Peace Ray, Peter has them PEARLY GATES held open for you.
Kim Morrell (Friend)
December 22, 2020, 12:00 am
I never saw Ray in a bad mood. Always smiling, kind and ready to live life. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. What a blessing that he and Nansie had to many beautiful years together. Wishing you strength, peace and Faith in this difficult time.
Mark Deming (Cousin)
December 22, 2020, 12:00 am
All my childhood memories of Ray (and his brothers) are flowing back to me now. The Deming brothers, Dave, (my brother) and I spent a lot of time with the Ray. I am sorry we didn't stay closer thru the years. Nansie, Karol and my prayers are with you.
Bruce &Susie Snyder (Bible Fellowship Class)
December 26, 2020, 12:00 am
Nansie,
So sorry to hear of Rays passing and we ask that God will keep you in his arms of comfort at this difficult time .
You and your family are in our prayers.
Derica Rehling (Friend IBC Tender Warriors)
January 4, 2021, 12:00 am
Dear Nansie and family,
My heart is sad for you at this time. May you be comforted in knowing you are being prayed for.
Regards,
Derica