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Submitted: 3/27/21 • Approved: 3/30/21 • Last Updated: 4/2/21 • R402155-G0-S3
February 10, 1934 - May 30, 2004
James William Rice Jr., 70, of Hico died Sunday, May 30, 2004. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. June 2, at Center Valley Cemetery in Hamilton County. Rev. John Weaver will conduct the service.
Mr. Rice was born Feb. 10, 1934, in Coleman County, the son of James William Rice Sr. and Mary Amanda Jennings Rice.
He was married to Martha Oustad on June 4, 1954, in Brownwood.
He was a graduate of Santa Anna High School and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Education degree from Howard Payne College and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin University.
Mr. Rice wrote and illustrated children's books and novels with Pelican Publishing Co. of Gretna, La., and taught art at Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University and Dallas Baptist University.
He also was a band director at Hico and Shamrock high schools. He was a member of Natalbany Baptist Church, Natalbany, La., and of the Western Writers of America.
For five years he worked with the Texas Artist in Residence pro-gram and over the past 25 years he spoke to thousands of school children throughout the nation about his love of art and music. He played saxophone and piano with Fred and the Gang for more than 25 years. He regularly played music at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Forrest Ridge Nursing Home, Hamilton Senior Citizens Center and Honey Creek Retirement Center.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Rice of Hico; his children, Zel and Barbara Rice of Tickfaw, La., Maria and James Weaver of Hamil-ton, Lyn and Connie Rice of Blanket, Patti Rice of Alexandria, Va.; and Jason and Shelli Rice of Stephenville; a brother, Eddy Rice of Brownwood; a sister, Loretta Angel of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Rhonda Welch, Amanda Bundick, Tim Weaver, Tamee Weaver, Brian Rice, Ryan Rice, Crystal Rice, Marlee Rice and Jameson Rice and two great-grandchildren, Alexa Welch and Matthew Bundick.
Pallbearers will be Tim Weaver, Brian Rice, Ryan Rice, Bobby Sheard, Heath Bundick and Nevin Walton.
Contributed on 3/27/21 by texasfindagraver
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Record #: 402155