John D. Rice

John dedicated 21 years of dutiful service to the Air Force as a communications expert here in the states, as well as Korea, Turkey, Spain, and Japan. John’s work even earned him multiple Presidential Citations.

Outside of his career, John was a well-traveled man who took multiple trips to Spain with his wife and lifelong companion of 67 years, Maria. Closer to home, he took plenty of road trips to the outer banks and the mountainsides of western Virginia with his family. John was also a bowler and enjoyed playing in bowling leagues with his wife and his friends. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and the Washington Redskins.

Above all else, John was a family man who adored his wife, loved his children dearly, and was crazy about his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Maria, and his children, Michael Rice (Robin), Rick Rice (Linda), John Rice (Leila), and Alice Kline (Tim). He is also survived by his grandchildren Brandon Rice, Isabella Rice, Ryan Rice (Mercedes), Richard Rice (Brittany), Zachary Rice (Sofia), Noah Rice, Mikaela Burling (Michael), and Morgan Williams (Michael); his great grandchildren Amelia Rice, Roman Rice, Mia Rice, Aria Rice, Valerie Rice, Adalyn Burling, Lyla Burling, Colton Burling, Grey Williams, and Murphy Williams. John is survived too by his brother, Lester Bollinger, and his step-sister Lesia Havill.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Betty Twiford and James Clarence Rice.

A funeral mass will be held for John on Friday, March 27 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, located at 100 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601. A committal will follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens, located at 155 Butler Farm Rd, Hampton, VA 23666.