Kelley Jack Rice

Springfield - Kelley Jack Rice (May 9, 1925 - May 14, 2025): A loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor. A life well lived.

Jack was born May 9, 1925, in Waldron, Arkansas to Winston and Thelma Rice. He was the third son of five children. At 17 years old, he joined the Army Airborne and became an airplane mechanic and instructor. He served our country during WWII in Italy, participated in the Berlin airlift and continued his service in the Korean War.

After the service, he met Hattie Mae Wilson, and they married and moved to Oregon. They raised four children together - Jackie, Amy, Melanie and Winston. He worked as a millwright - building and maintaining lumber and paper mills all over the Pacific Northwest, as a trusted advisor to the contractors he worked for, as well as running many jobs as foreman. Jack and Hattie were very active in church fellowship and leadership at Trinity Baptist Church. They were also active in many community and school-related organizations in the Mohawk Valley and Springfield/Eugene area.

Jack was dedicated to launching each of his children on an independent life of their own - providing each of his teens with an old car to drive; supporting career path decisions; and offering support during tough times. Not only his family benefited. Throughout Jack's 100 years on this planet, he shared the common sense and wisdom gathered from a lifetime of listening and learning from others. His extended family, friends and coworkers all benefit every day from the knowledge, skills, leadership and love he passed along.

Jack was known for being able to fix, build and grow just about anything, and he put those skills to good work. When family and friends needed help at their home, with their car or at the church, he was there flashing his big grin, bringing all the right tools and quite likely carrying a bag of fresh corn or some tomatoes.

He retired early from his millwright career to care for Hattie, during her long terminal illness.

Later Jack met and married Ruth Byers. Over the next 26 years, together they built a new chapter in their lives. They were very active at the Centennial Christian Center. Together they shared a busy life of activities, gardening, visits and outings with family, friends and church members. For many years, they met for a weekly pizza lunch with all available family and friends. Jack particularly enjoyed the cute antics of Ruth's grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jack joins Hattie, his parents, three of his siblings (Jr., Gerald and Vivian), brother/sister in-laws (Wanda, Betty, Margaret, Henry, James and JW) and step-grandchild Jonathan in heaven. He is survived by his children Jackie Rice (Mark Herbert), Amy Caruana (Stephen), Melanie and Winston; grandchildren Jocelyn Bartels (Patrick) and Patrick Caruana (Dionya); step-grandchildren Savannah Langdon (Ryan), Spencer Herbert and step-great grandchild Shep Langdon. He is also survived by his sister Audean, and a number of dear nieces and nephews including Margaret Lea; Roger Rice; Debra, Jim, Mike and Bill Taff; Gary Wayne Rice; Camille Rice Little; Vickie Head; and Valerie Hill.

On the Byers' side of the family, he is survived by his wife Ruth; step-children Thelma Struck, Bill Byers (Jan), Karen Doster (Dave) and Muriel Krull (Dave); step-grandchildren Seth, Jesse, Leah, Brooke, Katie, Jessica, Casey, Dell and Dean; and many step-great grandchildren.

We invite you to join us for a Celebration of Jack's Life Saturday, August 23 at 2 p.m. at the Genesis Community Church, 1020 Janus St., Springfield OR 97477. If you cannot attend in person, a livestream will be available on the Genesis Community Church YouTube channel and a recording will be shared after the service.

Jack's family would love to hear your stories and memories about him. You can share your memories of Kelley Jack Rice on Legacy's website.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Genesis Community Church or the Eugene Mission.