James Edwin (Jim) Rice, a longtime UT and NV resident, died suddenly Dec. 8, 2013 at home in Kearns. He was born at home to the late Henry Franklin Rice and the late Priscilla Jean Lyman Rice on March 16, 1935. Jim grew up and attended public schools in Logandale, NV, and enjoyed playing football in high school. He served a successful LDS mission to New Zealand from 1955 to 1957, followed by 6 years in the U.S. Army. Two of those years were active service in Okinawa, Japan, where Jim was a quality control and food safety inspector, a sharpshooter, and earned officers status. He also was counselor to the President of U.S. Army Branch of the LDS Church. In 1964 Jim graduated from BYU majoring in child and human development and family relations with a minor in psychology. While earning funds to attend BYU he also leveraged his experience with food by working summers for Watkins, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV, and was named top salesman for the giant baking products company. Jim had a meaningful 23-year career helping to care for the disadvantaged as a supervising employee for Utah State Dept. of Social Services He was an Eligibility Examiner, Fraud Investigator, and Quality Control Supervisor. He helped families obtain food stamps and financial aid, and to gain access to health care and ensure integrity of social service programs. His work benefited countless individuals, including foster children and Vietnam War children refugees. Jim was an excellent team player, went the extra mile, and made a real difference in people\s lives. He was highly respected by those he worked around. Jim married Diana Jo (Bake) Rice on July 22, 1977 in the Utah, St. George Temple. They started their own business in 2011 as Independent Associates with Legal Shield, Inc. where they provided membership for citizens to access Law Firms that provided full legal assistance, and ID protection for just a small monthly premium. Jim was an active church member all his life, serving in many callings, including a LDS Stake missionary 5 times, Assistant Ward Clerk/Historian for 5 bishops, and Salt Lake Temple ordinance worker for 10 years. He will be remembered for his keen knowledge of LDS Church doctrine and history, also a deep interest in genealogy as well as the biographies of great leaders of the LDS Church and great leaders of the United State government. Over the years Jim and Diana were active politically defending the Constitution according to their beliefs. They were Utah State (and county) Delegates to both the Republican and U.S. Constitution parties, and regularly met with, and wrote letters to state and national government leaders to support them in wise choices and address issues such as water conservation, public access to transportation, retaining driver license privileges, flat tax matters, and etc.
Jim is survived by his wife of 36 years, Diana Jo (Bake) Rice; and also survived by 2 sons David E. Rice (Suzy), Payson UT, and Richard James Rice, West Jordan UT; a daughter Rebecca Lance (Ken), Ammon, ID. Jim is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Ben, Chris, Sarah, Alisa, William, Avraham, Annie, Janie, and Lucy. Jim treasured marriage, his home and children, and loved all people. He immersed himself in scriptures and current events. He enjoyed gardening, his small orchard, the birds, and animals, and liked to collect rocks and gems. He loved to sing, and performed many vocal solos during his adult life, and sang duets with Diana Jo. He was very loyal, a good peacemaker, and courageous. He will be missed for his kindness, his unique sense of humor, and his support in helping others find happiness.
Viewing is Sat., 12:30 -- 2 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m.at the LDS Western Hills Stake Center 5380 W., 5400 S., Kearns UT. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. 10600 S. in Sandy, UT.
