Frederick Asa Rice, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 21, 2017, surrounded by his family. He was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, on Saturday, September 25, 1937, to Raymond Lester Rice and Jessie Gail Hubbard Rice, and then moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, where he eventually met his wife. As a young adult, he moved around Southeast Texas. During that time, he married his bride and love of his life, Norma, and they became 50-year residents of Beaumont. They have been married for 59 years and would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in January.
Mr. Rice was a born-again Christian and was active in the Baptist church. When he first moved to Beaumont, he was a member of Highland Avenue Baptist Church. After moving to Bevil Oaks, he became a proud member of First Baptist Church of Bevil Oaks. His last activity with the church was to help prepare snowcones during the community 4th of July celebration. His desire was for all of his family and friends to know his Savior and be in heaven with him. He enjoyed raising chickens, gardening, and playing bridge with his friends. These hobbies allowed him to share eggs and vegetables with family and friends, and he could be seen riding in his golf cart throughout the community delivering his eggs. He enjoyed using his tractor/tiller to help his neighbors prepare their gardens, and they knew they could always ask him for help. He was an avid follower of the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. He was always happiest when his house was filled with family who he loved with all his heart. Fred worked many years as a dedicated Laboratory Technician at DuPont Beaumont Works.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lester Dean Rice. He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Dell McLeod Rice, of Beaumont; son, Raymond Rice and wife Dana of Silsbee; daughters, Carol Matherne and husband Carl of Sour Lake, Anita Whitifield and husband Jimmy of Beaumont, and Joan Bassana and husband Ron of Beaumont; sister, Ramona Gail Rice and husband Carl of Milledgeville, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Ashley Bridgers and husband Jared, Travis Whitfield, Ryan Rice, Trenton Whitfield, Stephen Matherne, Jordan Thibodeaux, and David Matherne; two great grandchildren, Jackson Bridgers and Max Bridgers; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18