Lt. Col. Monford Clark Rice ,USAF Retired

RICE, Monford Clark, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF Retired- passed away February 10, 2012 in Knoxville, TN. Colonel Rice was born on Flag Day, June 14th, 1933 in Decatur, Illinois and graduated high school in Normal, Illinois 1951. He attended Illinois State University until 1953 when he left and enlisted in the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet program. It lead to a Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1955. In March of the same year, he received his Wings as a rated navigator. During his 20 year career in the Air Force (1955-1974) he served as a navigator, navigator instructor, navigator flight examiner, maintenance officer, maintenance staff officer, and squadron commander. While in these positions he also “found time” to fly over 11,000 hours worldwide in all types of aircraft including the T-29, C-124, C-130, C-141, C-47, and the C-54. Colonel Rice served tours of duty in Vietnam (1966-1967), where he was awarded the Bronze Star, and the Azores (1971-1972). As part of OPERATION BOOTSTRAP he attained his Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Florida State University (1965-1966). He retired from active duty in January 1974 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement, Colonel Rice attained a Master’s Degree in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University. During this same period he was active as a Baseball Umpire, calling games throughout the Southeastern US, at the high school, college and adult recreational level. In 1978, the Colonel began a 2nd career as a high school teacher in the Air Force Junior ROTC program sharing his love for the Air Force with his “kids” assisting them to broaden their horizons and futures, actively participating in numerous Summer Camps and marching competitions. He retired from the Knoxville public school system after teaching for 25 years at both Austin East High School (1978-1993) and Karns High School (1993-2003). He enjoyed Volksmarches; was an active volunteer in Knoxville's Empty Stocking Fund; was Vice Commander of the Knoxville Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars; and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Colonel Rice was preceded in death by parents, Monford Clucas Rice and Ruth Irma Fuller and brother, Robert Don Rice. He is survived by loving wife, Barbara Coats Rice; their son and his wife, Mark Lincoln Rice and Karen O’Donnell Rice; his daughters and husbands, Catherine Ruth Rice Smith and CDR Frederic D. Smith, USN Retired, Marisa Lynn Rice Pitt and William E. Pitt, Tonya Monique Rice and Erich Alois Brem; his son and wife, Lt. Col. Monford Clark Rice II, USAF and Rebecca Elizabeth “Beth” Kurtz Rice; step-children and spouses, Sharon Callis Haydon and Philip (Randy) Haydon, Ronald Jay Callis and Julie Rabon Callis, Tracy Lee Callis and Teresa Dillon Callis, and Bradley Dean Callis; 20 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway from 5:00-7:00 pm. Family and friends will meet Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:30 pm at Berry Funeral Home to go in procession to Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Highway for a 1:30 pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Parkinson Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509 New York, N.Y or The Empty Stocking Fund at News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund 2332 News Sentinel Drive, Knoxville, TN 37921 Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com.