Gene Rice was a loving husband and grandpa. He was born in Nucla in 1941, to Paul and Edith Rice and raised in Telluride, Colorado. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and served as an Engineman aboard the USS Hancock for seven years. He was honorably discharged in 1965 with a rank of E-5.
Gene spent many years in Healy, Alaska, working as a lineman for the railroad and a volunteer fireman before returning the Western Colorado. He enjoyed being outdoors; hunting, fishing, riding snowmobiles and spending time at the Glade Park cabin.
In 1988, he married Mary Rice, and they celebrated 33 years together. Gene finished his working career at Western Slope Iron, retiring in 2007.
He was a hardworking and humble man who was loved by his four step-children; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was known as the grandpa who could fix anything.
He loved telling stories about Alaska, his time in the service and the "hell" he and his brother raised as kids. He took great care of the people around him, loved animals, especially his dogs, and will be missed dearly.
A Military Honors Service will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 at 10:00 am on Friday April 30, 2021
FAMILY
Mary RiceWife
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