Gerald R. Rice

GERALD RAYMOND RICE (DIED Sep 12, 2024)
Jerry Rice was a very kind, intelligent, humble, giving and loyal man that loved his
family and dogs.
Jerry was born on March 13, 1941, in Warrenville, Illinois to Ralph & Violet Busch Rice.
He is the eldest of seven children. In 1960 he married Rose Schlick from West
Chicago. While serving in the military they grew their family to include four daughters,
three born in Germany and the youngest born in England.
He served in the military, first in the US Army (1958-1963) then US Air Force (1964-
1979) and retired after 20 years. He was very proud of his service with the 101 st
Airborne, while stationed at Stuttgart, Germany. When he was stationed at RAF Feltwell
/ Mildenhall, England he was part of the Combat Control Team, Blue Berets, and he
completed over 80 parachute jumps. (He was very proud of this accomplishment). In
1966 he was stationed in Everux, France and he parachuted into France as part of the
D-Day Anniversary celebration. Jerry was sent to Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam in 1970
for a year where he was awarded The Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal for combat
missions. Jerry was also an Air Force Recruiter in Little Rock, Arkansas and South
Dakota.
After retiring from the military, he met and married his second wife, Diane Kempfer Gitch
and they moved to Florida where he owned his own business, Rice Appraisal Service in
Tampa for about 30 years. During this time, he built a home on 50 acres and operated
an orange grove in Dade City. He loved working around his orange grove. Jerry and
Diane lived in Dade City until her death. Jerry and Rose have remained close friends
for over 65 years, and he spent his remaining time with Rose in Russell Springs
Kentucky.
Jerry loved his four daughters, Kim & Patrick O’Brien, Sharon and Fred Simano, Karen
Berger and Heidi Rice and Paul Hebert and stepson David Gitch. Jerry had eleven
grandchildren, Patrick and Kevin O’Brien, Heather Simano Miller, Jason Simano, Jesse
and Deryk Berger, Georgia, Paige, and Ryan Hebert, Jordan and Lathaniel Gitch. He
also had 8 great grandchildren.
He will be missed by his brothers and sisters. Sharon Worrell, Carol & Wally Mika,
Daniel Rice, Dennis & Linda Rice, Mary & Tim Dietzel, and Debra Herman.
He was very charitable and worked with Habitat for Humanity, including building projects
in Macedonia, various Veterans organizations, events at St Mary’s Episcopal Church of
Dade City. For many years, Jerry and Rose picked up and delivered food for the various
food banks in the area. The world has lost a great man.

Wilson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.