Glen L. Rice

Glen Luther Rice, 91, of Traverse City, passed away Friday, July 17, 2015. He was born on Tuesday, June 24, 1924 to the late Charlie and Evadeen (Burris) Rice in Sayre, OK.

He graduated from high school at New Liberty, in 1944, playing basketball and enjoyed baseball as a catcher. He worked the family farm, mostly cotton, met and married the former Winnie Stricker,and later moved to Traverse city, ( back to her home town) in 1947.

Glen started his working career as an electrician, dairyman, tractor operator/maintenance, snow plowing with horses here in Traverse City, at the former State Hospital. Later he owned and operated Rice's Mobil Service(1950's) downtown on West Front Street.

When his marriage dissolved he then married Eleanor (Templin-Henry), the mother of his children.

He worked for Fochtman Motor Co, M.R. Anderson Pontiac Co, Traverse City Frame and Axle thru the next years; in 1970 owned and operated Rice's Radiator Service.He had also been a licensed auctioneer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Empire as well as many social clubs including, The Grand Traverse Saddle Club, Eagles Drill team, Single Peoples Club. He loved his quarter horses, bringing the famous award winning stallion "Hayward Tom" from Glen Nutters ranch in Nebraska. He enjoyed the horse shows, campouts and "Chariot Races" at the old fairgrounds, with William (Billy) Dunn, "Butch" Sheffer and Ken Geiger, also rounding up "wild horses" with them and F.D Clow of Bendon. He enjoyed riding his horses in the parades and also dressed up in the "Mummer's Parade" at the Cherry Festival. He enjoyed eating at The Hayloft with Marion and meeting new friends at his daughters shop, Pour Boyz Tattooz.

Re-marrying later to Joyce (Leach), he raised dairy cattle, and was honored for his premier herd and milk production while living in the Acme area. Glen also enjoyed owning greyhound dogs and 200 head of goats. He learned ball room dancing from "Meg Nutting Studios", co-operated Rice's Adult Foster Care Home, drove school bus for TCAPS in the 1980's, and worked for a short period of time for Boride. Glen will be remembered for his story-telling, which was enjoyed by many, many people.including the "cotton growing and picking in Oklahoma", to the famous "wheat harvest" in Montana.


Surviving Glen are his children, Marie Ritchey of Traverse City, Glen of Mooresville, NC, Jim of Kingsley; Joyce's children, Sharon Velliquette, Lois Ann LaRosa (Randy) and Michael Manley (Debbie) of Traverse City along with their children. A much loved daughter-in-law Brenda (Ceaser) Rice. His grandchildren, David (Donnelle) and Tom (Angela) Middaugh of Buckley, Michael Middaugh (Melodie) of Kinglsey, Brad Stafford of Kentucky, Crystal Ceaser of Ohio, Christopher of Mooresville,NC. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Amber, Megan, Jadyn, Devyn, Liam (Middaugh)..Autumn Grumley, Jocelyn Ceaser, Deacon Zebarth. Siblings, Margarite (Hill) in OK, Clyde (Marilyn) in CO, Neal (Anita) in OR, Laveda (Bright), Nat (Evelyn) Rice, of Traverse City, Lee in OK,and Jimmie (Leslie) in TX. with many nieces, nephews, and very dear friends. He enjoyed the company of Alice Campeau and Dorothy Ford along with their families in later years. Glen was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert, sister Shirley (Enyart) and son in law John Ritchey (Pour Boiz Tattooz) , also many dear friends.

Visitation for Glen will begin at 12 noon Saturday, July 25 at First Baptist Church of Empire, 7474 W. Empire Hwy., followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Richard Blaser will officiate. Graveside committal services in Solon Township Cemetery will take place following a luncheon at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the church. Please share your favorite memories of Glen by visiting his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being care for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.