Hon. Edwin D. Rice - 1925-2007
Hon. Edwin D. Rice, 82, passed comfortably in his home June 15, 2007, following an extended illness under the outstanding care of Community Hospice. He was born Feb. 2, 1925, at his family home in West Van Lear, Ky., to Oscar and Prudence Rice.
A long time resident of Johnson and Lawrence counties, Judge Rice relocated to Ashland to practice law in 1962. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Stephenson Rice; a brother, Marvin Rice; and a sister, Edna Earle Mays.
He attended Morehead State College before the beginning of World War II and at the completion of his military service, graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Law. As a young attorney in Lawrence County, Ky., he served in several city and county positions until he relocated to Ashland to practice. Judge Rice was elected to the newly formed District Court system in its first year of existence and served the Boyd County court for 21 years, acting as Chief Regional Judge for that duration, holding court in almost every county in the district during his tenure on the bench. Prior to his service to the Commonwealth, Judge Rice was a practicing attorney in the Ashland area and was influential in numerous civic and community events.
As owner of Buena-Vista farm in the 1970s, Judge and Mrs. Rice opened their home to youth from all over the area and exposed them to horses and horse care that led to many fine horsemanship careers for some. Hundreds of students, youth to adult, passed through the horsemanship program and have remained in contact with the family over the years.
Judge Rice was a member of the United States Army Air Corp. during World War II, taking training on the legendary Boeing B-17 bomber and was selected to serve as radio navigator on the highly classified Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which he flew until the end of the war in 1945. Although he and his crews did not see overseas service, they were selected to demonstrate the Superfortress to the public at air shows and other events to show the public how their war funds were being spent. While serving in the Air Corp., he was able to use some of his favorite talents as a musician, playing string bass and coronet with military units where he was stationed, as well as sessions with some of the great dance bands of the era. He remained an advocate of great music and was an avid flight enthusiast for the remainder of his days.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann S. Rice, who was survived by her sister, Jean Modlin, brother-in-law, Philip Modlin; and brother, William Paul Stephenson and his wife Sherry Stephenson.
He is survived by three children, Barbara Rice of Ashland, James E. Rice and his wife Dana and daughter Julianna of Lloyd, and Paul Rice and his wife Cathy and daughters Elizabeth and Mary of Grayson; cousins, Vicki Brightwell and Emeline Mayhew, both of Louisville, and Mrs. Evelyn Strobe of Columbus, Ohio; an aunt, Mrs. Ruth Meeks of Paintsville; and beloved friends, Joan and Anthony Arnett and family of Grayson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101, or the Kentucky Christian University School of Music, 100 Academic Parkway, Grayson, KY 41143.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland with Suffragen Bishop Elzy Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park with a military service to be performed by American Legion, Kenova Post No. 93.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to steenfuneralhomes.com.
