John Norman Rice

John Norman Rice, the youngest child of Zora and Joe B. Rice, was born on May 2, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. He died on June 5, 2025 in his home, with family and close friends praying at his bedside.
The Rice family moved to Edmond, OK during John's childhood, and he graduated from Edmond High School. He attended college at Central State College (now known as UCO), and completed his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
John met Mary Lou Rice, a talented musician highly skilled in playing the piano and organ while participating in church activities. They eventually married in 1967, and John said he was the most blessed man in the world to be married to her. Together they served churches in Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, with John as Minister of Music and Mary Lou playing organ and piano. Eventually, they worked as realtors for 22 years while continuing to serve churches part-time. During this time, the pair's success was measured by recognition in Prudential Real Estate's Honors Society and Leading Edge. John also served a term as president of the Edmond Board of Realtors. Additionally, they were active participants in Singing Churchmen and Women of Oklahoma for many years.
Remarkably, John and Mary Lou never tired of being together at home and at work. They delighted in it. At the end of Mary Lou's life in 2019, they both claimed they had never had an argument, and all who knew them over the years will surely take their word for that! Although times were not always easy for them, their love and their shared faith in God guided their marriage.
John and Mary Lou welcomed sons Brett Erin Rice in 1975, and Shawn Regan Rice in 1979. They loved both boys dearly. Shawn and his wife Priscille lived with John for the final years of his life and gave him loving care as his health declined. Shawn says his father's life exemplified this passage from 1st Corinthians 13: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails "
John is survived by Brett and his wife Lisa, along with his grandsons Kyle (Reilley), Tyler (Sydney), and Brady, as well as great grandchildren Camryn and Adelynn Jane (AJ); and Shawn and wife Priscille, and granddaughter Brooklyn. His parents and siblings, Leta, Odus, Beth, and Sue preceded him in death.
John's memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 19th at Quail Springs Baptist Church. The service will be streamed on the church Facebook page for those unable to attend.
The family wishes to thank Laura RN of Mercy Hospice for caring for John during the final weeks of his illness.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bill Rice Ranch: (billriceranch.org.) Mailing address: 627 Bill Rice Ranch Rd., Murfreesboro, TN 37128; and/or to P.R.A.Y, Inc. 15660 E. Camino Dorotea, Vail, AZ. (Please specify in memory of John Rice on memo line.)