Leaming "Lee" Moore Rice III

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Leaming (Lee) Moore Rice, III on April 27, 2021. He was surrounded by his loving family after losing a long, well-fought battle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Dorothy Beck Rice, his devoted daughters, Stephanie and Sara Rice, his sister, Katherine Recinos, and his nephews. Lee was born in Washington, DC on December 21, 1942 to the late Marian and Leaming Rice, II. He was the eldest brother to James, Katherine, and Roger Rice, who affectionately nicknamed him “Buddy.” He grew up in Arlington and Lake Barcroft, Virginia and graduated from Annandale High School. Lee attended George Washington University and Elon University before he joined the US Army during the Vietnam War, serving mostly in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After being honorably discharged from the army, he finished his undergraduate degree at Western Kentucky University and earned a master’s degree in education. Lee met his wife, Dorothy, at the Palm Beach Habilitation Center in Palm Springs, Florida where they both worked. They were married on September 17, 1988, and they had two daughters, Stephanie and Sara. During his life, Lee lived in many areas throughout the country with different careers, usually involving his masterful ability for talking to people. He also spent time working with adults and children with disabilities, both as an educator and through state and private organizations. Later in life, he returned to his first passion, teaching. He would say he was never the best student and he wanted to help kids have a more fulfilling experience in school than he had. Lee retired after thirteen years of teaching elementary special education in Fairfax County Public Schools. Lee was an incredible brother, husband, and father, always there to offer love and support. He never missed a chance to offer his help and guidance for any issue his children encountered, always taking exceptional pride in their accomplishments. He was generous and kind to all, forever ready and willing to strike up a conversation. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. A small graveside service with his family will be held on May 10, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church, Virginia. A celebration of Lee’s life will be planned for the summer of 2021 when we can all safely be together.