Joe Rice

Joe Rice, 61, of Canyon, died November 22, 2002 in Amarill0. Services will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 First United Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Clark Williams and Rev. Donna Johnston officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Joe Rice was born on June 15, 1941 in Canyon to William and Estelle Montgomery Rice. He was a graduate of Canyon High School and attended Amarillo College. He married Mary Metcalf in Panhandle on June 8, 1962. He served continuously since 1986 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund appointed by Govenor Mark White, Govenor Bill Clements, and Govenor George W. Bush. He was instrumental in starting Potter-Randall 911 Board and served as Chairman since its development. He was president of the Dreamland Cemetery Board and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Canyon. He received the Pardner of Life Award of Cal Farley?s Boys Ranch and Affiliates and was awarded Fireman of the Year in May, 1995 by Panhandle Firemen?s and Fire Marshalls? Association. He was also awarded Fireman of the year in December 2001 by the Canyon Fire Department. He went to work for the City of Canyon in 1958 and served the City of Canyon and the Fire Department as Deputy Chief. He retired in December 2001 after serving for forty-three years. During this time he was instrumental in building the department to be rated as the #2 Fire Department in the state of Texas in 1998. He served as an instructor for emergency medical services educating numerous personnel throughout the state. He also served as an instructor for fire rescue services educating numerous fire personnel throughout the state. He was awarded the Canyon Citizen of the Year in 2001. Survivors include his wife, Mary Rice, of the home; three sons, Randy Rice, and wife, Toni, of Canyon, and their children, Casey, Amanda, Zackery, and R.W., Dennis Rice, and wife, Darla, of Canyon, and their children, Danielle, and Deanne, and David Rice, and wife, Dana, of Ft. Stockton; three sisters, Bettie White, of Amarillo, Dana McDowell, of Canyon, and Sue Stipe, of Canyon, and one brother, William