Larry David Rice

He was born in Conroe, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 1951 to L.B. and Martha Dennis Rice.

Larry served 4 years in the United States Navy. He was a machinist’s mate and had a degree from Lamar University. After the Navy, he drove his 1968 Ford Mustang from California back home to Texas. He then worked in the oil industry as a machinist, worked at the Blue Bell Distribution Plant in Beaumont, TX, and then moved to New Braunfels, TX to continue his career as a machinist. He made a career change and retired in 2019 as an Engineering Specialist at the Texas Department of State Health Services.

He loved woodworking, traveling, and participating in church. He attended New Life Baptist Church where he was in a men's Bible study and sang bass in a quartet and in a men's group.

One of Larry's dreams after retirement was to travel in their RV. He and Joye took several trips, with their longest one being to The Ark Experience in Kentucky. He enjoyed fishing on their trips, and they sometimes traveled with friends.

He got so much joy in serving others by helping with projects, lawn care, or any other needs at home or at the church. His sense of humor was well known and he joked with everyone, including the nurses in the hospital during his last days. He was famous for his Buttermilk Pie and Lemon Meringue Pie. His favorite cake was German Chocolate, and he had it every year for his birthday.

He is preceded in death by his father, L.B. Rice, his mother, Martha Dennis Rice, his sister, Karen Fairchild, and his aunt, Genevieve Flowers.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joye Shannon Rice; his brother, Randall Rice and wife Elizabeth; son, Brandon Rice; daughter, Erin Hussey and husband Matthew, and their children Everett and Annette. He will be missed greatly by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

A visitation for Larry will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 19, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at New Life Baptist Church, 101 North St, Converse, TX 78109.