Mr. James Lee "Jimmy" Rice

Mr. James Lee “Jimmy” Rice, Sr., son of the late Erver E. and O’lena Gover Rice, was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky on March 25, 1924, and he departed this life in Somerset, Kentucky on Sunday, August 18, 2013 having attained the age of 89 years. He was unitied in marriage to Geneva Floyd on May 20, 1945 in Somerset, Kentucky at the First Methodist Church, she survives. This happy union lasted for 68 years until his passing. Other survivors include; two sons, James Lee (and Dianna Yanders) Rice of Somerset, Kentucky and Douglas Ward (and Beverly Stykes) Rice of Shepola, Kentucky; three grandsons, Robert James (and Melanie Hayes) Rice of Richardsville, Kentucky, Bryan Douglas (and Sherry Godby) Rice of Lexington, Kentucky and Shawn Patrick Rice of Versailles, Kentucky; four great grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth & Emma Katherine Rice of Richardsville, Kentucky, and Elizabeth Anne and Grayson Andrew Rice of Lexington, Kentucky; four brothers, Tony, Lowell, Thomas, and Lennis Rice and two sisters, Ada Lucielle Rice Moody and Lois Christine Rice Richardson. Other than his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Johno Rice, Leonard Wesley Rice, and Arthur Hugh Rice; two brothers in law, Ben Moody and Clifford Richardson. Jimmy was of the Methodist Faith, he was a 68 year member of the Sievers Lodge # 491 F & AM, and a member of the Oleika Shrine Temple. Jimmy was a WWII , Korean, and Vietnam Era Veteran, He served aboard the USS Maryland BB46 with his brother, Johno. They were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. By his 18th birthday, he had been in more than 100 naval battles. In March of 1948, he became a member of the Kentucky Highway Patrol which became the Kentucky State Police in July of 1948. He retired from the Kentucky State Police in 1974. He retired from the Naval Reserves in 1967. He was the last surviving member of the original Kentucky Highway Patrol. He was a kind person who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He leaves a host of relatives and friends who mourn his passing. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Chapel of the Pulaski Funeral Home with Rev. Jeffery McGrady officiating. Burial will follow at the Mill Springs National Cemetery with the Kentucky State Police providing burial honors in commemoration of his years of service to our Commonwealth. The family of Mr. James Lee “Jimmy” Rice, Sr. will receive friends at the Pulaski Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday until after services. In lieu of flowers the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Boys Camp at Trooper Island c/o Trooper Endre I. Samu, Camp Director Trooper Island, Kentucky State Police, P. O. Box 473, Albany, KY 42602. Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of all arrangements for Mr. James Lee “Jimmy” Rice, Sr.