John Tate Rice passed away on November 9, 2020. He was born in Logan, West Virginia on March 26, 1948 to James and Kathleen Rice. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Mary Elizabeth DeShazo Rice and his parents.
John received his Bachelor of Arts from Marshall University in 1970 and Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1973. He was admitted to the bar in Tennessee and South Carolina in 1974. John was also a member of the bars of the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
As a lawyer, John was known and respected as a fierce advocate for his clients, and tried numerous jury and non-jury cases. He served as a member of the board of the Chattanooga Bar Association from 1985 to 1987 and from 2007 to 2011. John was elected to serve as the Chattanooga Bar’s President in 2010, and was honored as a Fellow of the Chattanooga Bar Foundation in 2011. Many knew John as a talented chef who loved to share his gift of cooking with friends and family, and he was an avid fan of Tennessee football. John was a member of First Centenary United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his three daughters Elizabeth Bowling Rice, Hannah Tate Rice, Miriam Robertson Rice, grandson Hank John Marx; brothers, James M. Rice, Jr., Richard E. Rice; sister, Martha R. Kerns and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Regina Collis, his secretary of 43 years, for her dedication and loyalty to John.
If you would like to honor John's memory donations may be made to Operation Smile, Children's Hospital at Erlanger and First Centenary United Methodist Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-265-4414. Please visit our website to share your memories: www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com.
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