Lee Gardner Rice was born May 14, 1939 to Charles and Evadeen Rice on the family farm in Grimes, OK. He passed away on February 18th, 2024 in Amarillo, Texas at the age of 84 years, 9 months, and 4 days.
Lee grew up in Grimes, OK and attended the rural school New Liberty. When they closed New Liberty school, he attended Sayre Public Schools. After high school, Lee joined the Navy. He served three years in the Navy, was transferred to the reserves and served another 3 years before he was honorably discharged. Lee made his home in California for 4 years before moving back to the Sayre area.
Lee worked many occupations over his life time in Sayre, including a line man for the local power company, owning and operating several companies including an oil well drilling company, Bingo Parlor, and water well pump company, and finally, Lee became a certified septic tank installer where he owned and operated, installing and fixing septic tanks until his retirement in 2019. Lee married Mary Rice and to this union two children were born: Sherry and Michael. Lee married Bonnie Rice in February 14,1980. After Bonnie passed Lee married Dani Rivera on August 6, 2021 in Quanah, TX.
Lee was member of many organizations which included the Elk Lodge, Shriners, Masonic Lodge Sayre Lodge No. 195, and the Downed Bikers Western Plains Chapter. Lee enjoyed the outdoors. He liked camping, fishing, traveling on his bike, and flying his own airplane. He loved being around and socializing with people. With his involvement in the Shriners, Lee has helped over 100 children. He dressed as a clown and participated in many Shriner parades. Lee lived a very fruitful life that has impacted many. He will be missed greatly by his family and his friends.
He is preceded in death by a wife Bonnie Rice, parents Charles and Evadeen Rice, two sisters Shirley Enyart and Laveda Bright, three brothers Glen Rice, Clyde Rice, and Robert Rice.
He is survived by his wife of the home Dani Rice, two children Sheri Beckmon and husband John of Minco, OK and Michael Rice of Sayre, OK; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; four siblings Margarite of Erick, OK, Neil Rice and wife Anita of Eugene, Organ, Nat Rice and Evelyn of Traverse City, Michigan, Jim Rice and wife Leslie of Gladewater, TX; Special friends Kay Roper and family and the Rico Family; many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
Interment in Lone Oak Cemetery, Sayre, OK on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 with Masonic Rites