Dr. Lowie Keith Rice

Dr. Lowie Keith Rice was born in Big Spring, Texas October 28th 1932. After a wonderful day of football, family and friends at his home in Conroe, at the age of 90 years, he went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 15, 2023.

After growing up on a dry land farm , he graduated from Big Spring High School in 1950. He then attended Texas A&M for nine years and was in the Corp of Cadets. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1954 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1959. He was an avid Aggie Football fan and enjoyed attending games and tailgating!

Dr. Rice's Veterinary career began in '59,caring for primarily rural farm and ranch animals, working 24/7 before cell phones and helicopters, etc! Always involved with youth and their 4H and FFA animal projects, Dr. Rice was awarded several "Honorary Chapter Farmer" FFA awards for outstanding service.

His career led him to practice in Rotan, Tx and then to establish a clinic in Snyder. While there, he began employment with the USDA as a Federal Veterinarian and later the Texas Animal Health Commission as a State Vet., He was instrumental in eradicating Brucellosis and screw worms throughout Texas. His association with the Health Commission resulted in a move to Conroe ln 1965 continuing his work with Brucellosis, hog cholera and the VEE outbreak, which sent horse owners in Texas scrambling and desperate for vaccine for their animals!

Desiring to remain in Conroe, Dr Rice established a Vet Clinic and also, with a friend they opened a Western Clothing Store in Conroe. Along with other local Veterinarians, he helped establish and became a part of the first After Hours Animal Emergency Clinic in Conroe. Helping relieve the stress of 24/7 !

Because of his experience with the USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission, he was asked to be the Veterinarian, as part of a 4 man team for the shipping of 400 head of Brangus cattle and some fine horses in 2 plane loads to the Shah of Iran. All cattle had to be tested for Brucellosis prior to shipping, Dr. Rice was in charge of all requirements needed and the health of cattle while in flight and the delivery to a feedlot in Iran. These were sent by oilman and rancher, Robert O. Anderson, to his friend, the Shah. Before departing Iran, Dr. Rice and the team vaccinated all cattle per that countries requirements. A most interesting trip and educational mission.

Dr. Rice became co-owner of Pineland Animal Hospital in The Woodlands . He later established Willis Animal Hospital in Willis, Texas. He retired from his last practice in Willis in 2002, achieving his lifelong dream and goal of service to his community, to others and caring for animals as a Veterinarian. He was a Past President of the Montgomery County Veterinary Assoc. He was also a member of TVMA and AVMA.

Dr. Rice was a Past President of Montgomery County A&M Club, a Lifetime Member and a committeeman of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, especially enjoying those years served on the Horse Committee and in the arena with the Junior Steer show as a Vet and as a committeeman of the Montgomery County Fair Association, with many years of service. He originally helped, as part of a crew, to facilitate the move and setting up of Frank Horlock's arena and cover which Horlock donated to the Fair Association when the arena and his property were going to be flooded by the" new Lake Conroe" in the early '60s. Since that time, he has helped in the arena for many rodeos and served in his Vet capacity as needed on the grounds. He has come to the aid of many youngsters with their 4H and FFA animal projects. He also encouraged participation of his own children in 4H which earned them 3 Grand Champion Show Steers along the way and the value of working toward a goal. His children also participated in local rodeos.

Dr.Rice was a Lifetime Member of Conroe Noon Lions Club with 40+ years of service and in 2005 was awarded a Life Membership for outstanding service. He has also received the "Melvin Jones Humanitarian Services Award " and also the "Jack Wiech Fellow" for his dedicated service to the children of the Texas Lions Camp.in Kerrville. He was a longtime member and a former President of The Encouragers class of First Baptist Church in Conroe.

Lowie was a “rodeo cowboy” beginning his career at a Hallettsville High School roping competition in 1947 that expanded into other events in ’48-’50. During those years, Lowie spent a lot of time turning out practice calves and learning from his mentor, World Champion Calf Roper, Toots Mansfield from Big Spring, Texas. An introduction as a teenager to see how the "Pros" achieve, maintain, and demonstrate their ability and his interest was increased tremendously. Lowie treasured a "Madison Square Garden Saddle " won by Mansfield in 1940. The saddle was gifted by Toots to Lowie and ridden by Lowie in his teenage years as he participated in many Junior Rodeos around the state.

Because of his 4H accomplishments and awards, Lowie was selected to represent Texas at the 1949 International 4-H Congress in Chicago, Illinois. There, Lowie first met Alvin Davis, who promoted the Junior rodeo in Post, Texas. Davis recruited Lowie to be a part of discussions and meetings held in Levelland, Texas in 1952, to organize the AJRA {American Junior Rodeo Assoc}. Lowie was elected and served as the first AJRA organization President. This organization has appealed to many young contestants throughout the Southwest and is a large viable organization today. Lowie won the steer wrestling that first year of AJRA and was All Around Cowboy for Big Spring that year. After that, he was no longer age eligible to compete in AJRA.

In 1950, at age 17, Lowie entered Texas A&M and was recruited for their A&M Rodeo Team in 1951. He competed as a calf roper and teamed up with Bob Rankin from Wills Point,Texas to form a successful steer wrestling team. Lowie had a very winning career for those 5 years with many wild experiences to tell! The Intercollegiate competition was nationwide. In the NIRA {National Intercollegiate Rodeo Assoc.} National Finals for steer wrestling for 1953,”54 and “55, Lowie placed 3rd and 4th in the Nation. In 1955 Lowie also placed 4th in team roping. They were honored individually at the NIRA Finals in Casper, Wyoming on the 50th anniversaries of these events. Lowie was also All Around Cowboy at Eastern New Mexico University, '54.

In 1953 Lowie threw a steer in a record setting time of 2.5 seconds to have the “Fastest Time Recorded” in Intercollegiate Bulldogging history in NIRA and went on to throw two steers in 6 seconds to win the Bulldogging”. This was at an Oklahoma A&M Intercollegiate Rodeo in Stillwater, Oklahoma. That record still stands today. Lowie was a member of the 1953 and '54 Texas A&M Junior and Senior Livestock Judging Teams, judging at the National competitions in Kansas City and Chicago.

Dr. Rice joined the Southwestern Rodeo Association {SRA} in 1972, to set a new record in the steer wrestling and kept the lead all year for The #1 spot to win the SRA Title for the 1972 . His busy Vet practice and a family did not allow him the time to continue to compete.

In 1982, Dr. Rice became a member of the Old Timers Rodeo Cowboy Association {OTRCA begins age 42} and was appointed Steer wrestling Director for the Assoc. He participated for several years over the state as a calf roper and SW, winning many awards and was the Champion Steer Wrestler in 1984 Finals.

In 1984, Dr Rice was invited to join the "Tejas Vaqueros , Inc " , an Organization that encompasses trail rides and rodeo events for a week annually outside Kerrville, Texas. It is comprised of businessmen from all walks of life, many HLSR officials and members , ranchers, politicians, musicians, cowboys, etc.. Rice especially enjoyed developing a friendship with rodeo champion, Larry Mahan, as "Mavericks " together their first year. .Rice was sponsored by his longtime friends , John Causey and Jim Eller. That year, John was selected "Vaquero of the Year" and Rice was selected "Maverick of the Year" . This was the first time ever , that a " Vaquero and his Maverick" were honored the same year! In 1998, Causey became "El Presidente" of the organization. Lowie enjoyed the nightly entertainment of Red Steagall, a fellow Vaquero, and had enjoyable years and many stories to tell as a "Vaquero".

Lowie and his lifelong friend, Bobby Rankin, dogged their last steer at an All Aggie Rodeo at A&M in '92, where they began their friendship and their steer wrestling partnership . Lowie has many buckles, saddles , trophies, stories and friendships to show for a long, exciting and successful rodeo career.

He was proud to be nominated and sponsored as a finalist for Induction to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2022.

He was preceded, in death, by his son Bob Rice and sister Rose Mickler and is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 42 years, children, Ben and Janise Rice, Becky and Gary Taylor, Beryl Jones, Brother Jon Rice, sister Iris Doss, Sister in law Doris Conner and 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and 90 years of friendships!

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

All friends are welcome to attend services Saturday, January 28th at Cashner Funeral Home, in Conroe. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM followed by Memorial service at 2 PM. If you choose, in lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Montgomery County Fair Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 869, Conroe, Texas 77305