Donald J Rice

Charlotte - Donald Joseph Rice passed away Friday, February 10, 2017. He was born November 7, 1924 to Richard and Marie Rice and grew up in Marseilles, Illinois. Don was a loving father and a special friend to many.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Reece of Charleston, South Carolina and his son, Garry Rice and wife Susan of Matthews, North Carolina. Don, or Poppo, is survived by four grandchildren, Chris Wiksell (Susannah), Hanley Rice (Michael Woody), Kelsey Hymel (Jon) and Ellie Mosteller (Logan) and three great-granddaughters, Anna Merrell, Elsa and Olivia Wiksell.

Don was also a wonderful stepfather to Chip Holden (Carol) and Jeff Holden (Kathy), and he had four step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Richard, Rita, and Dorothy Jean. Don was also preceded in death by his wife and mother of his children, Loretta Rice, and by his second wife Ruth E. Rice.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church since 1968, having served as a teller. Don served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge as a Captain. Following his military service, he graduated from the University of Miami, Florida, and, after working several sales jobs, including Liberty Mutual Insurance and Pitney Bowes, he joined Bostitch in 1965, where he worked until his retirement.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, February 17th at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant House New York (covenanthouse.org) or Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).