Daniel Leon Rice
August 19, 1950 ~ May 18, 2008
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Daniel Leon Rice, 57, of 609 Old Fort Rd., Fairview, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at his residence.
Mr. Rice was a loving husband who devoted his life to his faith and family. His happiest times were spent entertaining his children and all of their friends.
Mr. Rice was the owner of Trillium Construction Co. and was one of the partners in the development of Trillium. He was also a private pilot, and had great interest in scuba diving, racing cars, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. He attended Grace Community Church and lived his Christian faith everyday of his life.
A native of Columbus, OH, Mr. Rice was the son of Princeine Burghardt Rice and the late Bill Rice.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Rice is survived by his wife, Connie Rice; sons, Chad Rice and wife Elizabeth, Casey Rice, and Chase Rice; and sister, Patty Rice.
A funeral service for Mr. Rice will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Dr. David Ludwig officiating. A private interment will be held at Norton Cemetery, Cashiers, NC, on Saturday at noon.
His family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Young Life, 199-A Elkwood Rd., Asheville, NC 28804, Sports Outreach, 51 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, or to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 (street address not required).
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I only recently met Dan while tailgating during Carolina football weekends. I had the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one several occasions. What an enjoyable experience being around Dan. He truly loved life and it showed in his interaction with people. He will definitely be missed by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him.
My heart goes out to his family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Although Tom and I have never met Dan, we believe he touched our lives through his son, Chase. Our son is a member of the UNC football team in which Chase has been a mentor and friend to Trevor. We are sure he learned from a tremendous man, his father. As we offer our sincere condolences, please remember the great memories through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Rice family.
Tom, Julie and Trevor Stuart
Richmond, Texas
As a UNC Tar Heel fan, I offer my sincere and deepest sympathy in your loss.
Dan was a special person and I am the better for knowing him. His love of Connie and the boys was obvious and endless. He touched many people in all walks of life. He was a tireless worker with great energy and a true lover of life. May he rest in peace.
I pray the beautiful memories you shared will sustain you during this difficult time. Unfortunately, I never had an opportunity to meet Mr. Rice. However, knowing Chase, I know he must have been an amazing man. Mr. Rice’s legacy will live on through those he touched during his life. Blessings to you all.
We didn’t have the pleasure to meet Dan, however his son Chase has been a true friend to our son Alan. I am confident that Chase’s character and integrity were modeled to him by his Dad and that his legacy will be seen through his children. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Chase and Family – My heart goes out to you all during this difficult time. Coming from someone who just lost her mother, I am feeling your sorrow. Keep him close to your heart; for it is there that he will be forever.
Chase, I’m so sorry for your families loss. You, your father and family will be in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. I enjoyed meeting and talking to your dad before the games, while waiting for the team to arrive. He was a great man.
Chase, I am truly sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prays go out to you and your family. Stay strong.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will always cherish the time spent Dan and the entire Rice family.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this time. Please let us know if we can do anything for you.
Dan is going to be so badly missed by so many people. He had the strongest faith of anyone I have ever known in my life. He was such an inspiration to me and everyone else here. ‘Serenity isn’t freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm’, pretty much describes Dan to me. Go in peace my friend.
Chase,
I wanted to extend my condolences to you and your family. You will definately be in my prayers. If I can be of aid at any time, please let me know.
Dan was such an amazing, charismatic man who touched the lives of so many. My prayers are with each of you in your time of loss.
We send our thoughts and prayers to the Rice family, and rejoice that Dan now lives pain free and joyous with his Lord.
Words can’t describe what an amazing man Dan was. Chase, Casey, Chad, and Connie you guys are first in our prayers. We are always here for you. We pray that the Lord will lift you up through these hard times. We will never forget the absolute love and joy he had when we were all over hanging out. Thank you Lord for blessing us with the opportunity to know such an amazing person. Stay strong we all love you, and Dan you will be forever missed!
To Chad, Casey and Chase. We have seen your Mom and Dad through the lives of the three of you. Both were there for you through thick and thin. We were always amazed at the family ties the five of you demonstrated and we know that Dan was a very proud father and caring husband. Dan will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on through the three of you. Connie you and Dan are wonderful examples of what parents are meant to be. Our Stuart loved you all very much and Dan was a great role model in his life. God bless you and the boys.
As the Lord is now caring for Mr. Rice in Heaven may he also care for all of his family that is missing him here. Take heart you will see him again!
Connie, Chad, Casey, and Chase,
We are truly saddened to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I have fond memories of the Rice Family at Camp Linn Haven. I especially remember Dan taking 10+ kids (in his volkswagen pickup!) fishing at a nearby trout pond.
Dan was always willing to help out, and had an infectious smile.
Again, you are in our prayers,
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rice Family. May God be with the friends and family of Dan Rice.
I was fortunate enough to have been a scuba diving buddy of Dan & Connie’s. We had many great adventures from places like Hawaii to Lake Jocassee. I do not think I have ever met a more generous spirit, in sharing everything from his belief to a meal. I will miss you so much Dan. Love, Joni Wavra
Though I will know the joy of solitude…I’ll never be alone. I’ll be embraced by all the family and friends I’ve ever known. Although I might not see their faces, all our hearts will beat as one, and the circle of our spirits will shine brighter than the sun. I will cherish all the friendship I was fortunate to find, all love and all the laughter in the place I leave behind. All these good things will go with me. They will make my spirit glow. And that light will shine forever in the next place that I go.’
The Next Place, Warren Hanson
God bless you Dan, for the way you touched my children’s lives, and so many children’s lives in Fairview.
Dear Connie,
May you and the boys find some comfort in wonderful memories at this most sad time in your lives.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Dorian
Kendra and I want you all to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I wll strenghten thee; yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Connie, Chad, Casey, Chase, Elizabeth and family,
Wow, How hard is this! We love you all and put our arms around you with words. I can’t forget Dan’s wonderful warm smile and his friendship with our whole family. I know you will grieve and miss him like no other. May God hold you in the palm of his hand, tightly.
Love, Julie, John, Paul, Tim and Luke
I saw Dan at the Trillium Chapel last year at about 630 am one morning. He said he was ok with his condition. That he did not want to take radical treatments like interferon because he didnt want to be debilitated during his last years. He said he had a good life and was thankful for his family and his salvation. I like two of the trillium slogans: where families belong- family is important…..enjoy the journey- enjoying the journey with your family in tow (we have 4 younger children) is the essence of a vacation opportunity in the beautiful mountain setting of North Carolina.
One of my friends was at Trillium with me and dan was having lunch. when some issue about the cost of real estate and being in the mountains for the summer came up, he said, ‘you cant take it with you’.
No, the only thing you take with you is your memories, your relationships and your salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God bless the Rice family.
Dan took such joy in his family – a testament to his faith and love. It was a blessing to watch him at Camp with all of the kids around and a big smile on his face.
Love and prayers…
Dear Chase and Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Rice Family.
Sincerely,Charlie Williams & Family
Connie, Chad, Casey and Chase,
We are saddened by your news. But will also rejoice with you in that you will meet again in heaven. Our love to your families.
Mrs. Rice, Chad, Casey, Chase
Sorry to here about your loss. Wish I could be there for support to your family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Rice family and I will keep you in my prayers. Although I never had a chance to meet him, based on what a great young man Chase is, I can only imagine Mr. Rice was an outstanding person.
From our family to yours…you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chase,Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.I hope that the Lord will bless you with an understanding and an acceptance of his will.God Bless,Coach Browning
Buddy and I were so sad to hear the news about Dan, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to tell you how he touched our family’s life. We remember coming out to your home for field trips and having such a great time. Also he was so helpful as Matthew’s Sunday school teacher making it fun and suggesting helpful resources. He blessed many lives. Sara
Chase,
We were saddened to hear of the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Chuck and Tina Pagano
You all are such a wonderful family. I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so sorry to hear of this great loss. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. God bless your family through this time of sorrow.
Casey and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You are an amazing family and I continue to have you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Chase,
May your most cherished memories help you through this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Teresa Vanderford
You are in our thoughts and prayers. What wonderful memories to cherish!
Love,
Steve & Brenda
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our prayers go out to your family.It was such an honor to know Dan and watch how he helped and inspired us as coaches and helped so many kids at ACR.
My deepest sympathy to the Rice family. Mr. Rice was a wonderful man whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration for. The family he raised speaks for itself.
Dear Connie and Family,
Losing a dear friend like Dan has ‘hit me hard’ as I had no idea of any health issues. Dan and I shared many lunches at Sonny’s and had many ‘deep discussions’ regarding his faith, family, testimony, and even an occasional banking question as I enjoyed being his banker but more important his friend and fellow Brother in Christ. I learned well from Dan when we both served on the Building Committee at First United Methodist. My thoughts, prayers, and condolenences are with you and your family.
Dear Connie, Chad, Casey and Chase – although it has been many years since we’ve seen you, we still cherish all the fun we had sharing sports and activities with you in Ormond Beach. We wanted you to know how sad we are that you have lost such a wonderful husband and father but how lucky you all were to have been a part of his life. Love to all of you – Jim, Meg and Matt McGovern
We wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Dan was a caring and giving man, God Bless You all.
Jimmy, Lisa, Josh, and Jeremy Styles
Chase and family—so sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Connie,
Tom and I send you our deepest sympathy. You and your family are constantly in our prayers. The first time I met Dan was around the Keck’s dining room table and I could tell he was a caring vivacious personality.
Love to all, Janelle Chappelear
Connie and Family,
We are so saddened to hear of Dan’s death. We will remember his generosity, his kindness, and the love he had for his family. We can still remember Aaron’s excitement when he first went snow boarding with Dan and Chase. We will remember Dan and we will remember each of you and will pray that you will find peace and comfort in God’s loving embrace.
May God bless your family in this difficult time.
Dear Connie, Chad, Casey & Chase,
My sincerest condolences. Dan was a great person and his efforts with the youth of this area will live on in their lives and the lives of their children. He taught these kids more than they will probably ever realize; only a contemporary can really appreciate his contribution. I am a better person for having known Dan.
Dick Burt
To the Rice Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Dan. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this great man. Your family is in my prayers. May God comfort you and be with you always.
Connie and family, I was so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Helen Rae and Daniel
We were so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. We have such fond memories of all of you from years ago. Our love and prayers are with you. The Skrmetta and Spray Family
Connie and boys,
I was so sad to hear the news. I remember tubing at the lake and Dan joking with us all about the alligators. He was such a great man and will be deeply missed by all. Please take care and my prayers are with you at this time.
Chase,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the loss of your wonderful dad. The ACR Chorale dedicated a song to your Dad at our concert last week as we lifted up your whole family. God bless you.
What a pleasure to have known and worked with Dan Rice. My life is better for it. God Bless.
Pam
Some of my best memories are of Dan rounding up all of the kids and going for an adventure. His laughter, his kindness and his love were shared with all of us. From caressing a baby with a brain tumor to hugging his sweet family, Dan was an amazing, Spirit filled man. He was well loved and I am blessed to have known him.
Always smiling, always loving, always giving to others…what a wonderful man! This world is diminished by his absence. We will hold you up in our prayers. Much love to all of you.
Dan will be missed by everyone whose life he touched whether through a brief encounter or a long term relationship. His love of life, his family and his Harley where always evident. To Dan’s family; please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you travel this difficult road. My prayer for you is that our Lord will embrace each of you in his loving arms and give you the strength you need. Knowing that today Dan rides in heaven is a wonderful memory to cherish.
WE just wanted you to know that you are in our prayers. Dan was a great man and had done so much for the community and Reynolds High School. He was a generous man and will be sadly missed.