Donald Ray Rice

Don was born in Houston, Texas, on August 31, 1934. He was the only child of Elmer Troy Rice and Mary Etta Rice. While living in Texas he graduated from high school and attended a technical school graduating with the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in engineering. From Texas, the family moved to Whittier, California, where Don worked in the Metrology Lab for Northrup.

Although born in New Jersey, Nancy Mihaylo grew up in Whittier, California, and that is where the rest of the story begins. In December, 1961, Nancy was invited to attend the Young Adult’s Sunday School class the very day Don was invited to attend the same class. Apparently out of the 30 people invited for that special day, only two visitors showed. And you guessed it—just Don and Nancy, who of course “had” to sit side by side. Six weeks later Don asked Nancy to honor him by becoming his wife (after checking with her father first) and she agreed. Six months later they were married and had a honeymoon consisting of driving up the Pacific coast to the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962.

While at Northrup, Don went to community college and received an associate degree in computer science, which enabled him to get a position at a community college district as a Programmer/Analyst. On the side, he received a lifetime teaching certificate and as an adjunct faculty member taught data processing and computer related courses. His student reviews throughout his tenure were always in the high 90%’s. To finish out his full-time employment, he worked for Central Orange County Municipal Court as a Senior Systems Programmer/Analyst. This is the job he retired from before moving to Oklahoma.

Once Don and Nancy retired, their son, Rick, persuaded (with lots of prayer) them to move to Oklahoma where they have lived since 2005. Once in Oklahoma, Don started pursuing his long-dormant hobbies. He was a member and judge at the Oklahoma Photography Club where he won many first-place awards for his beautiful photography. He started woodworking and made original ball-point pens and gave them to his many friends and family. Shooting and loading bullets for pin-point accuracy became his passion, so much so that H & H Shooting Sports offered him a part-time job to share his developed expertise with others. He absolutely loved working there until the Lord took him home. Weekly, Don and his buddies would go out to one of three gun ranges and hone their skills.

Don is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Don Rice and daughter-in-law, Allison; son Rick Rice and daughter-in-law, Missy; Granddaughter Abby Wiebe and husband Jordan Wiebe; Hannah Dumais and husband, Rocky, and great-grandson, Charlie, with Theo on the way; Liam Rice, Winston Rice, Willoughby Rice; Brother-in-law, Fred Mihaylo and sister-in-law, Brenda Mihaylo; and Nephew Kyle Mihaylo, his wife, Andrea and children, Colby and Walker.

Vacations included camping, road trips, and travel with the boys and later vacations with cherished friends and beloved family; a highlight of which was a 14-day Mediterranean Cruise to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

Don and Nancy are members of Meadowood Baptist Church where he developed long-lasting friendships. Don assisted with Whiz Kids and Meadowood’s security committee.

The family is having a private memorial service 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/HahnCook

A Celebration of Life will be held at Meadowood Baptist Church in May.