Thomas "Del" W. Rice

T. W. Del Rice, 76, of Austin, passed away October 4, 2011. He was born January 13, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and adopted by the late Chester and Lucille Bainey Rice. He proudly served his country as a United States Marine. Del received his BBA from Texas Wesleyan University and earned his MBA from East Texas State University in Commerce. He also did post graduate work. Early in his career Del taught at Wharton County Junior College. He worked as an auditor for the federal government for twenty-five years. He was a baseball fan and really enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys. Del was also a pilot.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Kruppa Rice of Austin; mother-in-law Ruby Kruppa of Victoria; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Lawrence) Parkan of Victoria, Beverly (Bill) Stern of Weatherford and Sandy (Les) Pittman of Austin; eighteen nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Rosewood Funeral Chapels.

Services will be held at 2 pm Friday, October 7, 2011, from the Rosewood Funeral Chapels, Rev. Nick Stewart officiating. Interment with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Don Kruppa, Lawrence Parkan, Bill Stern, Les Pittman, Chris Sills, Tim Dentler, Keith Parkan and Franklin Elles.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle Pittman, Jared Pittman, Robby Severance, Pat Fisseler and Doug Kruppa.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, 77904, 361/573-4546.