David “Kack” O’Quinn Rice was born November 22, 1940, in Alto, Texas to Gerald and Jimmie Rice, and was called to heaven after his long battle with dementia, January 28th at Community Healthcare of Texas Hospice House. He was number 4 of 10 siblings; five boys and five girls. He attended Alto High School where he played all sports. He excelled mostly in football.
After high school he enlisted in the Army where he served in Okinawa, Japan. While there he was a chaplain assistant and coached the local kids in all sports. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1961, he came back home where he soon met the love of his life, Carolyn Aiken. They were married in 1963 and just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 18. They had their son Keith in their first year of marriage and their daughter Kim 3 years later.
He attended Grayson County College, completed his criminal justice degree at Sam Houston State University, and graduated from Texas A&M Commerce. He was a police officer in Highland Park, then moved to the Richardson Police Department where he became the school liaison for all the schools in Richardson ISD. David was the school safety patrol officer for many years there and was runner up for police officer of the year in 1970. He and Carolyn moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, where he was a police officer again and where he started the safety patrol program for all of Nacogdoches ISD. He was police officer of the year while in Nacogdoches. After police work he became a law enforcement instructor at Grayson County College where he was also the men’s assistant basketball coach and the head men’s golf coach.
David began a second career as a State Farm agent, spending 22 years in Fairfield, where Carolyn was his “do everything” office manager.
After retiring from State Farm, he moved to Lake City, Colorado with Carolyn where they built their dream cabin and lived there for 10 years. While in Lake City, David loved riding the jeep trails with Carolyn, riding the passes on his 4-wheeler, fishing, hunting, and leading music at First Baptist Church Lake City on Sundays. His heart condition and the high altitude necessitated selling their dream cabin and moving back to Texas. After travelling, cruising, visiting family and friends and watching his grandkids play all sports, he spent most of his time in his recliner watching sports, national geographic, nature shows, and any crime shows on TV.
David was an amazing husband, dad, papaw and friend to many. He was always making people laugh from telling silly jokes, playing pranks on them or doing silly magic tricks. He was a beloved coach to many kids, where he won many city championships with them. He was a beloved substitute teacher in Crowley ISD at Deer Creek Elementary for years. He enjoyed sports, having a garden, traveling, camping, living in Colorado and spending time with his children and his grandchildren; all of whom he loved dearly.
A Celebration of David’s life will be held Wednesday, February 8th, at 10:30 AM at Laurel Land Funeral Home with Chad Brantley officiating. Burial will follow at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, and lunch will be provided at the funeral home before the procession to the National Cemetery.
David is survived by his loving wife Carolyn of 60 years, son: Keith Rice and Wendy Aregood of Bowie, Texas and daughter and son-in-law: Kim and Chad Brantley of Burleson, Texas. He is also survived by one beautiful granddaughter: Taylor Rice and two amazing grandsons: Connor Rice and Caden Brantley.
Pallbearers will be: J.B. Morris, Connor Rice, Caden Brantley, William Aiken, Charlie Cooper, Mike Killion, Jeffery Rice and Nip Rice. Honorary pallbearers will be: James (Sugh) Rice, Jimmy (Pistol) Rice, Terry (Nip) Rice, Billy Joe Killion, David Brantley, DeWayne Bossier, Jeff Gilbert, Johnny “Bo” Oden, Ray Covington and Billy Don Maddox.
A special “Thank You” goes to the following for providing such loving care for David the past year: Terry Graham, caretaker, Hospice House, family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Healthcare of Texas Hospice House, 6001 Western Place, #105, Ft. Worth, Texas, 76107 or Alzheimer’s Association in your area.
