Obituary of Ray Allen Rice

Ray Allen Rice passed on at age 80 on April 30, 2024, at his home in Othello, WA. He was born June 27, 1943, in Mason City, Washington to Fred Rice & Vera Whyatt Rice. His sister, Darlene followed in 1944. He lived in Grand Coulee, WA where he graduated from Grand Coulee High School in 1961 as Valedictorian of the class. From a young age he helped his father farm the family homestead until he left for college. He attended Washington State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math and education. Ray moved to Othello, WA where he began his forty-year teaching career in math, driver’s education and working in the counseling office where he scheduled classes for many years. He also enjoyed coaching wrestling for many years. He met the love of his life, Terry Nilles while attending summer school at Eastern Washington University and they were married in 1968. He continued to hunt on the family farm in Grand Coulee and loved that yearly tradition. He was happiest at home with his family, eating ice cream with his grandkids, visiting with friends and family on the patio, playing games on his computer, working in the yard, and splitting wood with his fellow “wood chucks.” He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Terry Rice, daughter Debbie Williams (Dave Williams), son Scott Rice (Rosa Rice) 7 Grandchildren: Madison Williams, Jacob Williams, Meghan Rice, Lauren Rice, Emma Rice, Nicholas Rice, & Ashley Rice, and sister Darlene Dittmer. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Fred Rice & Vera Rice and brother-in-law Ted Dittmer. As a driver’s instructor for many years, he wanted you all to know “He will be sitting on your shoulder while you drive and saying…Remember, signals don’t turn cars!” A celebration of life will be held at the family home in Othello on Saturday, June 22nd between 1:00 and 4:00. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to the Parkinson’s research at www.parkinson.org or www.give.michaeljfox.org.