Vernon Edward Rice

July 23, 1943—Sept 8, 2016

Vernon (Vern) Rice died Thursday September 8th in Spokane after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was an amazing and generous husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend and will forever be missed.

Vern was born and raised in Willows, CA. He attended Willows High School and established friendships that lasted his lifetime. He married Beverly (Coffman) Rice in 1962 and had two daughters. He worked at Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District as irrigation tender and mechanic until he moved his family to Spokane, WA in 1978. In Spokane he worked as a mechanic for McBride Motors and then as General Service Manager for McCollum Ford, Honda, and Hyundai, Pontiac, and Holiday Rambler RV.

He married Cecilia (Chi Chi) Richardson in 1990 and together founded 1989 RnR RV Superstore of Spokane, WA. Vern was very proud to see their business grow through the years from one store to now three. Both Vern and Chi Chi have been grateful for their partners (Ray and Jo Bunny) and their RnR RV Superstore family.

Vern and Chi Chi shared a love of travel, fishing, and boating. In his retirement, Vern also enjoyed being a gentleman farmer on his land as well as helping out friends and neighboring farmers.

Family and friends will forever smile when they remember Vern and his strong personality as well as his wonderful sense of humor, wit, and “Vernisms.”

Preceded in death by his father; Vernon Bristol Rice, stepfather; Robert Chappell, brother; Dennis Chappell and sister; Marjorie (Chappell) Linch.

Vern lives on through his loving wife; Cecilia (Chi Chi) of Spokane, his Mother; Nora Chappell of Willows, CA, his sister; Barbara (Chappell) McCracken of Willows, CA and his two daughters and sons-in-law; Laura and Patrick Riley and Juli and Tim Flegel, as well as three grandchildren; Heather Jones, Nicholas Riley and Augustus Riley and two great grandchildren; Rowan Jones (Heather) and Beckett Riley (Nicholas) all of Spokane, WA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 23, 2016 between 4:00-7:00pm at Anthony’s at Spokane Falls. Donations may be made in Vern’s name to Cancer Care NW Foundation, online at CCNWF.org or call (509) 228.1019.

Arrangements under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, Spokane, WA.