Edward J. Rice

Edward J. Rice, 67, of Lewisburg, OH, died Friday, September 26, 2014 in Dayton. Born on January 14, 1947 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Ira & Jeanette (Eberhardt) Rice, Sr.

He chose a career in the electronic field, graduating from Erie County Community College (Buffalo, NY) in 1966, and continued advanced schooling while in the USAF, receiving his BS in Manufacturing Technology from National University, CA. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years, mostly assigned to the Military Airlift Command's Aerospace Cartographic & Geodetic Service for 4 years before leaving the active military. Ed was a 27 year civil servant (GS) senior program annalist at Wright Patterson AFB in Fairborn, retiring in 2007. He then worked for various military contractors, most recently LCI's F-15 division. He was troop chaplain of I Troop, Colorado Mounted Rangers, HAM radio club of Preble County, certified rescue team and was an avid dog lover. His cheerleading "Elvis" character will be missed by the runners in the annual Air Force Marathon, which he enthusiastically portrayed yearly since 2006.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years: Patricia K. (Loman) Rice; Daughter: Stephanie Rice of Kansas; Step-Daughter: Shelly Rice of Alaska; Brother & Sister-in-law: Ira "Ike" (Judy) Rice, Peru, IN; and 2 Grandchildren.

Services will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 - 2:00 p.m. at the Dayton National Cemetery, 4100 West Third St., Dayton, OH with military honors by the Preble County Honor Guard.

Arrangements Entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, Lewisburg, OH. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com