Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice, resident of Mustang, Oklahoma for 56 years went home to meet his Lord and Savior on New Years Day 2026. Jerry lived every day of his 90 years with the goal of brightening someone's day. Whether it be with a word of encouragement, a practical joke, a "slightly embellished" story, or a box of donuts, he would bring a smile and much laughter to every situation. He loved people and especially his family.
He was born, July 3, 1935, in southwest Oklahoma in Kiowa County near Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, to Howard and Grace Rice. He graduated from Lone Wolf High School where he met the love of his life, Joyce Ann Richey. They married in 1954 and were together for 59 years until her passing in 2014. In his words, "What a wonderful life!"
Early on in their marriage, Jerry worked around Lone Wolf in various pursuits mostly related to growing and harvesting wheat and following the harvest north in the summer. He moved to Clinton, Oklahoma for a short time where he worked for Mahanay Brothers Auto Parts. From there, he moved to Wichita, Kansas where he began a successful twenty year career with Northrup King Seed Company as a field rep and later moving to Kingman, Kansas. In 1969, still working for Northrup King, he moved to Mustang serving feed/seed stores and farmer's co-ops in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. In 1977, he served as the President of the Oklahoma Seedsman Association.
Mustang became home for Jerry and Joyce joining the Lakehoma Church of Christ and graduating three children from Mustang High School. In 1981, Jerry went into business for himself by creating the E.C. Paving company in Elk City, OK with the help of his brother, Jim Rice. Then in 1983, Jerry set up shop for E.C. Paving in Mustang where he successfully ran the business until selling the business and retiring in 1998.
In retirement, Jerry and Joyce loved to fish for crappie and spent much of their time at the lake house in Eufaula, OK or hitting the road with their travel trailer. Fish fries were common, and they always shared them with family and friends. Their commitment was to the Lord and to their family. They were a major influence in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Jerry came from a large family and always kept up with his extended family. Over the years, he enjoyed staying in touch with many nephews, nieces, and cousins, encouraging them with phone calls and his special handwritten letters. In his own words, "I had many friends in my life, and I always wanted more".
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, his eight brothers and sisters, and his grand daughter-in-law, Kendall Bowles. He is survived by three children, Jan Guthrie of Mustang, Clendon Rice (Julie) of Mustang, and Cathy Bowles (Larry) of Fort Gibson. Nine grandchildren, Charles Guthrie (Sarah) of Piedmont, Kevin Guthrie of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Jenny Guthrie of Mustang, Matthew Rice (Whitney) of Lucas, Texas, Katie Aldridge (Mark) of Oklahoma City, Tanner Rice (Chandy) of Mustang, Clint Bowles (Holly) of Ft. Gibson, Alex Bowles of Orlando, Florida, Laura Vanderzee (Brett) of Edmond, and his sister-in-law, Linda Cornwell of Mustang. He is also survived by seventeen great grandkids which he adored and a host of family and friends.