Jethro John Rice

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Jethro John Rice, lately of Ferrum, Va., where he resided with his daughter, Judith Stiles and son-in-law, Gerald, passed from this life into the presence of Christ on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1920, he was born-again at the age of 40 and his life was transformed. A veteran of World War II, he served as a First Lieutenant in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He was an Eagle Scout and loved working with children. He graduated from Wyoming High School in Grand Rapids (Class of 1938) and attended Grand Rapids Junior College and Central Michigan University. Jethro worked for Michigan Bell on projects with AT&T, Western Electric, and the U.S. Department of Defense. His job took him to Iran, where he worked with American Bell International developing a nationwide integrated telecommunications system while the Shah of Iran was still in power.
He was passionate about horses and was an avid target shooter. He was a certified NRA Firearms Instructor. At 89 years of age he was still able to shoot rifles with his son-in-law and law enforcement grandson. He loved music and throughout his life, he sang in various church choirs and a barber shop quartet.
Upon retirement in 1980 he and Kathryn, his wife of 65 years, lived their life-long dream of residing on the shores of Lake Michigan. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Manistee, Mich., and had a strong love for foreign missions.
Jethro was preceded in death by his parents, Jethro G. and Catherine (Beals) Rice; his wife, Kathryn (Olson) Rice; his sister, Marjorie (Rice) Thompson; his eldest daughter, Mary (Rice) Campero, of California; and a great-granddaughter, Stetson Lane Stiles.
He is survived by his beloved sister, Virginia (Rice) Weidenfeller and her husband, Herbert, of 6300 Greenway SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49546; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Marilyn Rice, with Christar Missions in the Netherlands; his daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Gerald Stiles, who operate Aletheia Springs Christian Education Center in Ferrum, Va.; and his daughter, Barbara Butler, of Kingstree, S.C. He has 10 grandchildren; numerous greatgrandchildren; five nephews; and dear friends too great to number.
He loved the Word of God and was surprised that the Rapture of the Church had not occurred during his lifetime. During the last week of his life, he was overjoyed to hear of the salvation of six young men at Aletheia Springs.

A Memorial Service and visitation with the family will be held 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010, at Aletheia Springs Christian Education Center, 731 Pernello Road, Ferrum, Va., officiated by Dr. Gerald Stiles. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on August 12, 2010, (his 90th birthday) in Manistee, Mich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Aletheia Springs. Arrangements by Flora Funeral & Cremation Service, Rocky Mount, Va., 540-483-3835.
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation; purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit; washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long!"
Fanny Crosby