Jeffrey Allen Rice

Jeffrey Allen Rice, 73, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia of end stage Alzheimer’s.

Jeff was born on May 12, 1949 in Vancouver, Washington. He served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1989, retiring at the rank of Master Sargent. In 1975, he became a loving dad. In the mid 1980’s, he was a race car driver. From 1989 to 1994, Jeff was a radio DJ and account executive at KRJT in Bowie, Texas. In 1993, he married Rachael Rice. Later that year, he got ordained as a minister. From 1995 to 2004, he owned his own trucking company (Jeff Rice Transport). Then, he and Rachael were co-managers of American Storage in Salem, Oregon for almost 4 years. Jeff and Rachael helped their daughter and son-in-law raise their 3 children, who became a huge part of his life. He lived in Crestview, Florida 3 doors down from his middle grandson and granddaughter and their fur babies (who were also a huge part of his life) for 4 years before moving to Georgia. 

Jeff loved watching and playing golf, racing, singing, singing in the church choir, driving, boating, the Oregon Coast, entertaining and helping others, dad jokes, and his family. For many years he was an avid NASCAR fan, and even though he’s always swore he never had the patience for it, he loved teaching. Jeff was preceded in death by his birth parents, Dorothy Goodrich and Audrey Lutts, adoptive parents, George and Mary Rice, sons, Matthew and Christopher Cockerham, son-in-law, Ishmael “Tony” Vasquez, and great grand puppy, Stella Vasquez. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Rachael Rice; biological sister, Bonnie Brintley; children, children, Jason Rice, Patrick Rice, Tim Cockerham, and Heather Vasquez; grandchildren, Joshua, Anthony (Lauren), Elijah Vasquez and Jessica Shahan; great-grandchildren, Arabella and Christopher Shahan; and great-grand puppies, Joey and Gracie Vasquez.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville with full military honors being rendered.

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
 

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