Jeffrey Benjamin-Kenneth Rice

As we remember our brother Jeff, we gather to celebrate a life that was rooted in love, purpose, and unwavering dedication.

For 25 years, he wasn't just a girls basketball coach - he was a mentor, a role model, and a steady voice of encouragement. Jeff didn't just teach plays or drills; he taught confidence. He taught resilience. He taught young women to believe in themselves, to trust their teammates, and to stand tall both on and off the court. The impact of those 25 years can't be measured in wins or trophies, but in the countless lives he shaped and the strength he helped build. He had a gift for seeing potential - sometimes long before others saw it in themselves. He celebrated effort as much as success. He believed that character mattered more than the scoreboard. And because of that, generations of players carry a piece of his wisdom and spirit with them wherever they go.

Beyond the gym, Jeff was simply our brother. He loved hiking - not just for the trails or the views, but for the peace it brought him. There was something fitting about that. Jeff appreciated the journey, the steady climb, the quiet moments along the way. He understood that the most meaningful rewards often come after effort and perseverance. And just like on those trails, Jeff walked through life with determination and gratitude.

But most of all, he loved his family. That was his true home court. The laughter at gatherings, the conversations, the simple joy of being together - those were the moments he treasured most. He showed up. He made time. He cared deeply. And he made sure the people he loved knew it.

As our brother, we were lucky. We had a front-row seat to his kindness, his humor, his stubborn streak, and his enormous heart. We saw how deeply he felt things - how invested he was in the people around him.

Jeff wasn't perfect, but he was genuine. And he was ours. The grief we feel today is a reflection of how much he meant to us. The sadness is heavy because the love was so great. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his legacy continues - in every athlete who steps onto a court with confidence because of him, in every family memory that makes us smile through tears, in every trail that reminds us to pause and breathe, and in every act of encouragement we offer because that's what he would have done.

We will miss his voice. We will miss his presence. But we will carry his love -always.

Rest easy, Coach

Rest easy brother