Richard Ralph Rice

Richard Ralph Rice, age 78 of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard was born on October 19th, 1945 in Granite City, Illinois to Harold and Dorothy Rice. He attended Assumption High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

He entered the Army in 1965 and served in the Vietnam War where he received the Purple Heart. He and JoAnn (Barrale) Rice were married on September 12th, 1970 in Florissant, Missouri. Richard worked for the US Department of Defense at Redstone Arsenal as a Budget Analyst for the Apache helicopter. After 35 years, he retired from the government and worked at Camber Corporation as a Budget Analyst for the Blackhawk helicopter. Richard spent time fishing and taking his family on boat trips on the Missouri River. He was also his daughters’ soccer coach for their indoor soccer teams.

Richard enjoyed collecting model cars and Star Wars characters and riding his Harley. He was a lifetime member of Purple Heart, VFW, American Legion, and a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Richard was a member of Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish. He will be remembered by his family as a patient, caring, fun-loving and quick-witted husband and father. He was always there to help guide and give advice.

Richard is proceeded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. Loving survivors include his wife of 53 years, his children, Becky (Drew) Hendrix, Jaclyn (Jeremy) Ritz, Jennifer (Michael) Suckow; six grandchildren; his sisters, Jeaneen Craig and DeAnn (Mark) Heiney; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish with Rosary at 2:00 p.m. Funeral mass will immediately follow the Rosary at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care. https://hhcaringforlife.org/understanding-hospice/inpatient-hospice-facility