L. Mike Rice

L. Mike Rice, passed away, Sunday, April 16, 2023 at home surrounded by family at the age of 81.

Soulmate of Donna Rice (nee Bowers) for almost 60 years; devoted father of Mac (Jenny) Rice, Melisa Rice Guthrie, and Meagan (Callie) Covert; favorite papa of Caleb, Mackenzie, Jack, Anne Marie, Stephanie, and Clayton; brother of sisters Patricia Lamb and the late Kathy Veverka; special uncle of Christi Wegner and Kim Berna; and numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Friend to many.Life with Mike was an adventure of a lifetime. Mike and Donna were childhood sweethearts from Richland, Washington. Mike graduated from Columbia High School in 1960 and served his country from 1966-1968. After his military service, he returned to Eastern Washington University and graduated with a BA in Business Statistics and Market Research. He was a Business Development and Franchisor for Coast-to-Coast Hardware in Washington and became Regional Developer in California for six states (WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, MT). He moved to St. Louis Missouri in 1985 to work for Medicine Shoppe International. As the Vice President for Franchise Development, between 1995 to 2001, he opened 800 of the 1200 pharmacy outlets with the responsibility for sales, real estate, store openings, resale acquisitions and conversions in 46 states and 8 countries. Starting in 1999, he held dual Vice Presidency with Cardinal Health with the title “Senior VP Statistical Analysis” when Cardinal Health bought Medicine Shoppe. Mike was an active member in many churches. He loved to help others and enjoyed projects such as spearheading a total renovation of the downstairs at Unity Christ Church, St. Louis MO.Mike and Donna loved to travel, returning to Europe several times. The most interesting was back-to-back trips in the early 2000’s to Russia and China. His favorite occupation was being dad and grandpa and traveling to several states for track and cross county meets that his kids were involved in and later to wrestling matches and symphony concerts for his grandchildren.One of Mike’s and Donna’s favorite past times was to dance…and he could dance! So many fun memories with Nancy and Allan Friedson, Clays’, Thatchers’, Bornzins’ and Browns’. Mike was supremely a good man who always thought of others first. He was a light in our lives and forever will be missed.

Services: Memorial visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, on April 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Schrader Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Woman’s Club of Washington University 1082-414-2555 or a charity of your choice. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.