Farris Neil Rice

Farris Neil Rice, age 89 of Jacksonville, Florida, went to be with the Lord on June 30, 2025 at Memorial Hospital. He was a beloved son, husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.

The youngest son of Lina Mai Rice (Leach), and Farris Dayton Rice, he was born on March 27, 1936, in Covington, Tennessee. He graduated from Byars Hall High School in 1954 and entered the Army shortly after, serving proudly for 3 years active duty and 5 years reserves. In 1957 he married his wife, Helen Norvell. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and began work in city planning/urban renewal, insurance sales, and then became owner and operator of Rice’s Lawn Service. He lived in Memphis, TN, Winston Salem, NC, Savannah, GA, and ended up in Jacksonville, Fl, which became the family home for the past 54 years.

Neil had a passion for fishing and spent many hours in his boat on Sister’s Creek enjoying fishing and nature. He was an excellent gardener during his retirement and could grow the best vegetables! Neil enjoyed baseball and was a dedicated coach for little league baseball at Lake Lucina for 10 years. He loved all things “Florida Gators” and “Jacksonville Jaguars”, and rarely missed watching the football and basketball games on TV. Neil loved spending time with family, especially with his youngest great grandson, Banks Peacock.

Farris Neil Rice was a good man who loved the Lord and his country. He will be greatly missed by family and all who knew him.

Farris Neil Rice is preceded in death by his parents, Farris Dayton and Lina Mai Rice; his sister Ann Rice Irby, and brother William H. Rice; his son in law, Bill Peacock; and his grandson Bradford Neil Peacock.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Lina Rice; his children, Anita Peacock Brown (Dennis) of Middleburg, Fl, and Jeffrey Neil Rice of Jacksonville Fl; his granddaughter, Kayla Leigh Peacock; and great grandsons, Draven Neil Peacock and Banks William Bradford Peacock.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

A graveside service for Farris Neil Rice will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11:00AM at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 850 St Johns Bluff Rd N, Jacksonville, Fl 32225