My fondest memory of Mr. Rice is how much he loved his family! I knew the Rice family for 42 years! Laura and I have been friends since 5th grade- Waena Elementary. Even though they moved away to Vegas, we still managed to keep in touch and see each other when I’m in town.  Mr. Rice loved playing Bingo with his family! I enjoy hearing his bingo adventures! Especially when he won the Big Bingo payout 💰 on Veteran’s Day!  So we’ll deserved! The most happiest I’ve seen him was when Laura got married to Dennis. He knew she found the love of her life and that Dennis would take good care of her! 💕 This picture reflects how happy he was to be with family and friends at the wedding! He was smiling all day! Although he left us suddenly, it comforts me to know that he is 🙏🏻✨reunited with Yoko and Miyo! I will miss you Mr. Rice….thanks so much for always making feel like part of the family! 🤗 I promise to always visit you, Yoko and Miyo when I’m in town! ♥️ Please don’t worry about Laura…I will be here for her if she needs anything! God Bless …till we meet again! 😇

I have so many fond memories of my Uncle Jim with us growing up in Japan and in Hawaii.  Our family was always at Uncle Jim and Aunt Yoko's house....it was our 2nd home.  One of my fondest memories was when I had a loose tooth and asked him for some string so that I could pull it out...he looked at it and before I knew it, he had yanked it right out of my mouth!  He looked at me and smiled and said.....anything else?!  Uncle Jim could be a quiet man at times but he had a really funny sense of humor and more importantly a gigantic soft heart!  There were many times my Mom would tell me about how Uncle Jim had helped our family (again) and he would be the one to reassure my Mom that everything would be alright.  As I grew older, I found myself talking to Uncle Jim about life and he would always tell me, "Can't look back Karen, you need to always look forward.  Life is full of surprises and you have many good ones coming." I loved that he loved my Aunt Yoko with all his heart.  I loved how he cared for her and made sure she had what she needed and was happy.  I will miss you Uncle Jim and I am so proud to be able to say that I was a part of your family.  Thank you for the love and care you always gave to us.  I will never forget you! 

I have fond memories  as a little boy being around Uncle Jim.  Uncle Jim seemed like a giant to me but he was a gentle giant. A man with an unique ability to tell stories which normally ended with his signature, hardy laugh.  I was lucky enough to spend a few summers with the Rice family in Mililani and every time I came  Uncle Jim had a set of chores he expected me to finish daily. He helped instill in me the importance of taking care of your responsibilities before play time.  
I am so happy that these last 20 years or so, we’ve been able to come out to Vegas and visit with Uncle Jim, Aunt Yoko, Laura and Dennis. I saw another side of Uncle Jim these last 10 years or so where he was absolutely committed to his family and loving his life love, Aunt Yoko.  It was such a blessing to see how Uncle Jim did everything in his power to ensure Aunt Yoko was safe and happy. Uncle Jim - I will not forget your example, I didn’t have many positive male role  models in my life, but my Uncle Jim was one of them ❤️

My big (I emphasize big) brother James was a man’s man. He left home to pursue his naval career before I knew him, but every visit he made back home was epic. His stories and escapades revved up the desire for adventure. My memories of him will last my lifetime. Laura I pray God’s comfort will keep and sustain you as we thank God for such a dad and brother.

Memories of James Rice, well let’s see…I remember the first time I met Uncle James at Granny Edith & Grandpa Shorty’s house on the hill in Arkansas. I was just a tiny little fellow and I thought he was the biggest man the universe ever created! He was splitting wood for the fireplace and made that big axe look like a hatchet! He swung that broad axe so far back I thought he might split himself in two! He was magnificent to a squirt like me. 
    A few years later James brought his new family to meet the folks back home. I remember being so excited to meet my new Aunt Yoko, my cousin Miyo, and little cousin Laura. You could tell that he was so proud to be surrounded by these 3 lovely ladies!
     Although we were usually separated by miles, whenever we did get to visit, James always made it seem to be yesterday the last we’d spoken whether in person or over the phone. I remember sipping beers and arguing with him over the best way to tie a bowline or sheepshank hitch, especially if we could find a piece of rope (I believe that debate carried over through two family reunions). 
    I love and am proud of my Uncle James as I’m sure is anyone who knows him. As long as we remember and speak of those who have moved forward they still live. 

Where do I begin...Mr. Rice & Rice Ohana, yup they are family to my family. Even closer than most of my family. From hanabata days, FRA picnics, all the Japanese ladies playing poker all night long @ the Rice's house & Tracy & I would tag along to play with Laura, we definitely had fun growing up. It was perfect that they lived in Las Vegas, my favorite place in the whole wide world! So I got to see them often. Just like the other messages about playing BINGO @ Texas Station with them. I'm glad I saw him in May & yup, we played BINGO. I never would've guessed that would be our last bingo session. Mr. Rice, you are truly going to be missed, thank you for being a great friend to my dad & my 
family! I'm pretty sure you all are playing in Heaven! Rest in love! ALOHA

Grandpa Rice was a great man. He never forgot birthdays. Every year he would send a card for mines and my brothers birthdays. He was an avid bingo player and always gave us the ins on playing the bingo games they played. He always won something. The workers at Texas Station knew him and Grandma Rice by name and of course their lucky, special seats. He will surely be missed, but we’re all happy in knowing that he was greeted by his loving wife and daughter, my mom, at heavens gates. We forever have our angels watching over us. Rest in eternal peace, Big Guy. We love you so much. 

As a little kid I remember always going to grandma and grandpa rice’s house to go ride bikes with my sister and my mom. 
As an adult we would go visit grandma and grandpa and we’d always play a couple rounds of bingo at Texas station where they’d clean house and win almost every session we’d play. They were always so lucky.  
As time passed we loss grandma rice and knowing that grandpa was by himself I’d call at least once a month to talk story with him. Especially holidays. Grandpa was so sharp and had such a good memory. We’d talk story about navy ships because I work Pearl Harbor now and I knew he was in the navy for some time. He even told me about when he worked at servco (where my kids mother works).  I’d tell him how after covid we’d come up and he could meet his two great grand daughters but god had other plans and he knew grandpa missed grandma so he reunited them finally. He’s up there looking down on us now with mom and grandma, playing bingo and winning all the cash balls. Grandpa I love you so much but I know you’re in a better place now. Tell mom and grandma I say hi, I love you, and I miss you all. Until we meet again <3 

I’ve known Laura for over 20 years, and I remember the first time I met Mr and Mrs Rice was at Texas Stations for bingo. I remember thinking I was glad I was friends with Laura, because I didn’t want this big man to be angry at me. I came to realize that as big as Mr Rice was physically, his kindness, gentleness…his heart, was much bigger. He will be greatly missed and my heartfelt sorrows go out to both Laura and Dennis

I always remember going over to all the great parties at the Rice 's house in Mililani! We were all such great friends since our Dads were in the Navy together! Our Moms were also such great friends together !  I'm so sorry for your loss❤ 

The Rice family is like family to me and my family!  Our moms from Japan, who are in heaven, were friends before myself, my sister Donna and my cousin Laura were even born.  Our US Navy dads and moms were all best friends for so many cherished years.  Mr Rice was funny and and always had the best bear hugs for myself and my daughter Lily.  I laughed at how in their  grumpy old man phase, our dads would drink beer and argue the whole time!  They would reminisce about the navy, owning a truck rental business together, and just the good ol’ days!  I loved Mr James “Gohan” Rice and will truly miss him!!  Until we met again (A hui hou). 
 Sincerely, your niece Tracy aka Racy as you always called me. Lol

I always looked forward to spending time with Mr. and Mrs. Rice and Laura when visiting Vegas. We would always plan a buffet dinner that included ribs and a Bingo day. He had his favorite corner to sit, and then we would set up and always had hot cocoa and some snacks on hand. He was a very good Bingo coach to me.  He knew the Bingo regulars and had good luck on his side often.
I'm going to miss him and hearing his voice.  He and the Rice family have been a part of my life since I was a teen, I think 40 years plus now.  Thank you for all the good memories I have with you and your family, thank you for all the advice you shared with me thru the years, and thank you for your hospitality and generosity always! I love you and will miss you here, until we meet again. Love, Sophie 
("your other daughter") 

OBITUARY

James Walter Rice

April 8, 1939 – July 28, 2022

Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery

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