James Lee Rice Jr.

James Lee Rice, Jr. age 69 of Somerset, Kentucky passed away suddenly on July 25, 2015 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. He was born in San Diego, CA on May 15, 1946, son of Geneva Floyd Rice and the late James Lee Rice, Sr. He married Dianna Yanders Rice, Feb. 5, 1967 at Sardis United Methodist Church in Nancy, Kentucky a marriage that lasted 48 years. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve on August 29, 1963 at the age of 17 and retired as a Master Chief Boatswains Mate on June 30, 1993 after 30 years of service and a Vietnam Veteran. His naval service includes: Vietnam aboard USS Albany, USS Swerve, USS Enhance, USS Detector, USS Fidelity, USS Clark, USS Lasalle, USS Nashville and USS Shreveport; Medals, 4 Navy commendation, 2 Navy unit commendation, Mentorious unit commendation (2), Good Conduct (6), Navy Expeditionary, 2 Battle E. 2 National Defense, Humanitarian Service, 6 Sea Service Ribbons, 3 Vietnam Service, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citations, Expert Rifleman and Expert Pistol Shot Medal. He joined the Somerset Post Office in 1994 and retired in 2011 after 17 years of service. Survivors include his wife Dianna Yanders Rice; one son, who was born to this union, Robert James Rice, and his wife Melanie; two grand-daughters, Hannah Elizabeth Rice and Emma Katherine Rice all of Bowling Green, Kentucky; one brother, Douglas Ward Rice and his wife Beverly of Nancy; several nieces and nephews; and a special little dog named Baxter, he loved dearly. He will be missed greatly by his family who loved him so much. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the chapel of Pulaski Funeral Home with Bro. Jessrey McGrady officiating. Burial will be in Mill Springs National Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. James Lee Rice will be after 11 am Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Pulaski Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers family request expressions of sympathy be made to the Gideon Memorial Bible plan or to a charity of your choice. Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of all arrangements for Mr. James Lee Rice Jr.