Aaron Adger Rice Sr.

COLUMBIA – Aaron Adger Rice Sr., 86, died on February 15, 2012.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the cemetery of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC, directed by Caughman- Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

Mr. Rice was born in Anderson, South Carolina on March 24, 1925. He graduated early from Anderson Boys High in order to join the Navy at the age of 17. He served his country during World War II as a Naval Aviator aboard the United States Aircraft Carrier USS Essex. Mr. Rice was honored five times with the Naval Air Medal and also received The Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. In 1949 he graduated from Clemson Agricultural College with a BS degree in Architecture. After his graduation he returned to Anderson to work for Fant and Fant Architects and to marry his life-long love, the late Mary Lyna Taylor of Anderson.

The Rices moved to Columbia in 1950, where Mr. Rice began an architectural partnership with Reid Hearn. Mr. Rice founded his own architectural practice in 1958 still working projects in partnership with Reid Hearn for many years. The firm of A. A. Rice, AIA Architects continued until Mr. Rice retired in 1988. His career spanned design, planning and construction management of commercial and residential developments across the southeast and internationally.

The Rices were active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church until they moved to Lexington in 1988 when they joined St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church of Lexington.

An avid sailor and a member of The Columbia Sail Club, his days spent sailing on Lake Murray were a time of great joy with his family and friends. Mr. Rice lived “loving his neighbor as himself” and was passionate about the helping of others. He spent his life offering advice and providing his construction, building and mechanic skills to anyone in need.

Mr. Rice was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley Rice and Nancy Jane Hunnicutt Rice of Anderson, and by his wife of 56 years, Mary. Mr. Rice is survived by his three children, Nancy Rice Guy (John) of Apple Valley, Minnesota; Aaron Adger Rice Jr. (Harriet) of Columbia; Mary Jane Rice White (Bob) of Chapin; and five grandsons: Aaron Adger Rice III, Raymond McElveen Rice, Stuart Taylor White, Robert Adam White, and Noah Thomas Guy; and his beloved niece, Eileen “Pitsie” Rice McGee Tucker of Starr, SC and nephew, Wesley Rice of Redondo Beach, CA.

The family will celebrate his life and receive friends on Friday evening at the home of A. Adger Rice Jr. The Rice family would like to offer sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at The Lowman Home for their dedicated love and care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Lowman Home, P.O. Box 444, White Rock, SC 29177.