With regret, I must inform you that the RJR62 Class has lost another valued classmate - Ronald E. Rice. I don't know any details, but the obituary is included below. Let me say that I knew Ron in high school and always considered him my friend. After graduation, I saw him only a few times, but on each occasion, he was so very nice and pleasant. I wish we had stayed in closer touch. As is evident from the obituary, Ron lived a full life and was well loved. We pray that the good Lord bless and keep him and that our classmate, Ron Rice, rest in peace!
Respectfully submitted,
Danny Ferguson
Ronald Rice Obituary
Rice ll, Ronald E
Ronald E Rice ll passed away July 24, 2023. He was born June 20,1944 in Hillsdale, Michigan to the Reverend Ronald Rice and Muriel (Dunphy) Rice. He is survived by wife Robin (Hodson) Rice, son Ronald Rice 111(Mayra), and grandson Gage Rice ( and wife, sisters Darlene (Buddy) Guerry and Judy (Sam) Owen and several nieces and nephews.
Ron spent most of his growing up years in Winston - Salem, N. C. where he graduated from Reynolds Highschool before attending N.C. State. He then was drafted into the army during the Second Korean Conflict of 1966 -69. Always one to end up in the middle of whatever excitement was around, he became a squad leader in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division and went on to survive five firefights during the conflict. He then came back home where he began a rich life of learning and doing. He became a lithographer for Hall Printing Company and until his retirement artists came to him from all over the world for his help in turning their original artwork into signed and numbered prints. After he retired he enjoyed volunteering at Crisis Control in Winston - Salem, an organization close to his heart and begun by his father. Ron was an accomplished guitarist (but also played a few other instruments ) and singer, a talented artist, lapidarian, photographer and, on the other side of the coin, a darn good dancer, bowler and golfer. He could build a pretty good doghouse and, oh yes - make a really good tuna casserole! He was also good with cats! There was never a dull moment around Ron before his illness and we will all miss him. A private service will be held at a later date at First Baptist Church in Winston -Salem where his father was a minister.
I regret not having known Ronnie better after he graduated RJR. From his obituary, it appears he led a full rich life including service to his country and to all of us through Crisis Control. I remember his dad at First Baptist. I know you in his family will miss him in their lives and my thoughts go out to you in prayer.
Ron and I were good friends at First Baptist. We frequently sat together during the church hour, and suffered more than one disapproving glare from the older folks around us. We sometimes tried to pay attention, but it was tough.
I played golf with him and envied his natural ability. I was also on the bowling team he assembled, but could never match his game. He made it look easy, but, of course, it wasn't.
I lost touch after high school, but every memory I have of him brings a smile, if not a laugh. We had fun!
While at Reynolds, Ronny and I bowled together on Major League All-Stars, the travel team for Major League Lanes. He was always a much better bowler than I was, and helped me with my game. It was fun when we went to other lanes around the state to compete--he was great company. I'm sorry to hear about his loss. I hadn't kept in touch, but now that I have started bowling again, I often think of him and wish he were here to give me some pointers.
Many probably don't know, but Ronnie and I took a two month trip in Sep - Oct 1963 to Los Angeles and 5 weeks in New Orleans. He focused on doing art in the French Quarter while I played guitar. Maybe he got that from me. I am sure he'll be missed by all that knew him
Ronnie just had natural ability that someone like me struggled to match, but rarely ever did. In addition to the bowling and golf mentioned by others, he was a fair basketball player on our church league team at FBC. Lots of good times and then we just lost track. A few years ago, Connie helped me reconnect with Ronnie, either on Classmates or the RJR alumni site. He was perhaps more reserved than I remembered, but he too recalled the good times. RIP friend.
Danny T. Ferguson
With regret, I must inform you that the RJR62 Class has lost another valued classmate - Ronald E. Rice. I don't know any details, but the obituary is included below. Let me say that I knew Ron in high school and always considered him my friend. After graduation, I saw him only a few times, but on each occasion, he was so very nice and pleasant. I wish we had stayed in closer touch. As is evident from the obituary, Ron lived a full life and was well loved. We pray that the good Lord bless and keep him and that our classmate, Ron Rice, rest in peace!
Respectfully submitted,
Danny Ferguson
Ronald Rice Obituary
Rice ll, Ronald E
Ronald E Rice ll passed away July 24, 2023. He was born June 20,1944 in Hillsdale, Michigan to the Reverend Ronald Rice and Muriel (Dunphy) Rice. He is survived by wife Robin (Hodson) Rice, son Ronald Rice 111(Mayra), and grandson Gage Rice ( and wife, sisters Darlene (Buddy) Guerry and Judy (Sam) Owen and several nieces and nephews.
Ron spent most of his growing up years in Winston - Salem, N. C. where he graduated from Reynolds Highschool before attending N.C. State. He then was drafted into the army during the Second Korean Conflict of 1966 -69. Always one to end up in the middle of whatever excitement was around, he became a squad leader in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division and went on to survive five firefights during the conflict. He then came back home where he began a rich life of learning and doing. He became a lithographer for Hall Printing Company and until his retirement artists came to him from all over the world for his help in turning their original artwork into signed and numbered prints. After he retired he enjoyed volunteering at Crisis Control in Winston - Salem, an organization close to his heart and begun by his father. Ron was an accomplished guitarist (but also played a few other instruments ) and singer, a talented artist, lapidarian, photographer and, on the other side of the coin, a darn good dancer, bowler and golfer. He could build a pretty good doghouse and, oh yes - make a really good tuna casserole! He was also good with cats! There was never a dull moment around Ron before his illness and we will all miss him. A private service will be held at a later date at First Baptist Church in Winston -Salem where his father was a minister.
--
Robin Rice
Dianne Pfefferkorn (Hobbs)
I regret not having known Ronnie better after he graduated RJR. From his obituary, it appears he led a full rich life including service to his country and to all of us through Crisis Control. I remember his dad at First Baptist. I know you in his family will miss him in their lives and my thoughts go out to you in prayer.
William D. Cooper
Ron and I were good friends at First Baptist. We frequently sat together during the church hour, and suffered more than one disapproving glare from the older folks around us. We sometimes tried to pay attention, but it was tough.
I played golf with him and envied his natural ability. I was also on the bowling team he assembled, but could never match his game. He made it look easy, but, of course, it wasn't.
I lost touch after high school, but every memory I have of him brings a smile, if not a laugh. We had fun!
RIP, old pal.
Mabel (Beth) Bayless
I remember Ronnie from FBC years as well as RJR. It sounds like he had a rich purposeful life.
Erik D. Goodman
While at Reynolds, Ronny and I bowled together on Major League All-Stars, the travel team for Major League Lanes. He was always a much better bowler than I was, and helped me with my game. It was fun when we went to other lanes around the state to compete--he was great company. I'm sorry to hear about his loss. I hadn't kept in touch, but now that I have started bowling again, I often think of him and wish he were here to give me some pointers.
Danny T. Ferguson
From Jim Appleyard:
Many probably don't know, but Ronnie and I took a two month trip in Sep - Oct 1963 to Los Angeles and 5 weeks in New Orleans. He focused on doing art in the French Quarter while I played guitar. Maybe he got that from me. I am sure he'll be missed by all that knew him
Lamar S. (Larry) Crawford Jr.
Ronnie just had natural ability that someone like me struggled to match, but rarely ever did. In addition to the bowling and golf mentioned by others, he was a fair basketball player on our church league team at FBC. Lots of good times and then we just lost track. A few years ago, Connie helped me reconnect with Ronnie, either on Classmates or the RJR alumni site. He was perhaps more reserved than I remembered, but he too recalled the good times. RIP friend.