Charles Thomas Rice

Not many children are fortunate enough to spend the last days of their father’s life listening to Kenny Rogers’ song “The Gambler” and other music while he sings along, watching his favorite movies, laughing, crying, sharing stories, and having heartfelt conversations, but we were.

Charles Thomas Rice (Tom, C. Thomas) of Bexley, Ohio and John’s Island, Vero Beach, Florida, age 86, passed away on April 25, 2024, after a short illness, surrounded by love, family, music, and his beloved kitten KoKo. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jean Waugh Rice “Jeans”, mother, Miriam Francisco Rice and father, Raymond Frederick Rice, sister Nancy Rice Bott, and grandparents Charles and Genevieve Francisco. He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Francisco Rice Wilson and James Allison Wilson, daughter and son-in-law, Courtney Elizabeth Rice Bosca and Christopher Blair Bosca, son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey Thomas Rice and Pamela Bailik Rice; grandchildren Margaret Francisco and Katherine Jean Wilson, Mario Thomas and Nicholas Christopher Bosca, and Allison Taylor and Kelsey Bailik Rice.

Tom’s grandfather and great-grandfather invented the Francisco car heater, which was one of the best-selling car heaters in the world in the 1920’s. Tom was proud to have begun his schooling at Columbus School for Girls. He graduated as a “Lifer” from the Columbus Academy in 1955 where he was on the swim and golf teams. He played golf for Denison University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1959. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Tom graduated from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1971.

In 1956, while at Denison, Tom entered the United States Marine Corps, and went on to Officer Training School after graduation. He served as 1st and 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC as an ordinance officer with the 2nd Marine Air Wing, Marine Attack Squadron #242 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. After 6 years, he ended his service career as a captain in 1962. At Denison, he met Jeanie Waugh on a blind date when she was 16 years old and a senior in high school. They were married in 1960. Their marriage lived on for 60 years, of which they were extremely proud.

Tom began his 44-year banking career at City National Bank, which became Bank One, and eventually JP Morgan Chase. His children remember the days when, while Dad was manager of the City National Bank East Broad Street branch, night deposit envelopes were counted by hand every Sunday evening, and they accompanied him in their pajamas. He also served as Executive Vice President of Bank One Retail Banking, head of all branches; President and CEO of Bank One Trust Company; Executive Vice President of Bank One Trust Company in charge of high-net-worth clients, and Senior Trust Officer at JP Morgan Chase.

Tom was a member of Columbus Country Club and served as president in 1979. Kim, Courtney, and Jeff remember fondly waiting for him at the pool after his golf games. He was also a member of Whitehall-Bexley Rotary International, Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club, John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, The Columbus Club, The United States Seniors Golf Association, The American Seniors Golf Association, and a proud member of The Golf Club in New Albany, Ohio, where he served as governor, treasurer, and president from 2001-2011.

He served on The Columbus Foundation Financial Advisory Board, the Delta Dental Board, The Alzheimer’s Association Board, the Gladden Community House Board, the Morty’s Kids Board, the Columbus Academy Alumni Board, the Buckeye Boys Ranch Board, the Alvis House Board, and as a Junior Achievement advisor.

Tom was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, friend, and banker. He was fondly known as Tom, Tommy, Dad, Boppa, and Bops and was very proud of his three children, their spouses, and six grandchildren. He always said that he would rather be with his family than anyone else. He was a lover of animals, especially eagles, osprey, and cats of all sizes. He was an amazing athlete excelling in tennis, platform tennis, and golf, and winning many tournaments in each. He was a life-long avid golfer and could recite all details of his many holes-in-ones and eagles to the very end. He was proud to play in the 1994 AT&T Pro Am and several Jerry Ford Tournaments in Vail, Colorado. He was respected by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

He will be remembered as Dad and Boppa who loved having the grands for sleepovers and meeting for coffee dates with his children and grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy and our memories of him will be cherished forever.

Friends may call at the Schoedinger Mid-Town Chapel, 229 East State Street, Columbus, Ohio, on May 30 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 East Broad St. Columbus, Ohio on Friday, May 31, at 1:30pm. The service will be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/c/broadstreetpresbyterianchurch

In lieu of flowers friends may, if they wish, contribute to Columbus School for Girls or a charity of their choice.