Thomas "Tom" Charles Rice

Thomas "Tom" Charles Rice, 75, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died New Years Day evening, January 1, 2010 at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at Noon on Monday, January 11, 2010 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2nd Ward: 2700 Leon Drive in Forest Grove.

Dedication services will immediately follow for family and close friends at the Mountain View Cemetery in Forest Grove, OR.

A reception will be held in the Cultural Hall in the 2nd ward building following the dedication services.

Tom was born on September 11, 1934 in Salt Lake City, UT. He was the oldest son of 11 children born to Austin and Annie (Steward) Rice Sr. He was raised in Farmington, UT until 1947 when he moved with his family to Vernonia, Oregon where he attended school.

Tom was united in marriage to Yvonne Boyd on May 11, 1957 in Forest Grove, Oregon and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity on June 29, 1970. Following their marriage, they made their home in Forest Grove area all of their married life.

He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1957. He honorably served his country in the States and also Germany for two years. During this time, Tom was one of the few to be inducted into the Non Commissioned Officers Academy where he received his Sgt. E-5 rank. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Tom received awards for expert marksmanship in rifles and was honored with 1st place in the 30 cal. machine gun category in the 12th infantry.

Tom was partners and co-owner with his wife, Yvonne, of B&B Real Estate in Forest Grove. They operated this business from 1970 until 2007. Earlier, at the age of 16, Tom worked in a saw mill as sawyer. He eventually started, owned and operated his own logging company, "Rice Lumber Co.", in August 1959, which he owned for several years.

Among his interests, Tom enjoyed the outdoors, camping, cooking, and vegetable gardening. He was his grandchildren's most avid sports fan, traveling across the United States to attend their sporting events. He was also a jack of all trades and was there to help friend and neighbor with yard work or home projects. Tom was also involved with his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding several positions including: Sunday School President, Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, a member of the Stake High Council, Counselor to the Bishops of the Forest Grove Wards, and had served as Bishop for the Forest Grove 2nd Ward for many years. Two of Tom's grandsons are currently serving their missions in the Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission and the California Riverside Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws; Dean and Lucy Boyd, and three sisters; Clara Serber, Margaret Kouva and Myrtle Montgomery.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Yvonne of the family home, three children and their spouses: Thomas D. and Denise Rice of Idaho Falls, ID, Barbara and Kenneth Beitelspach of Gaston, OR, Melinda and Douglas Tovey of Roseburg, OR, nine grandchildren: Amanda Beitelspach Heisler, Stephanie Beitelspach, Ashley Rice Zohner, Andrew Tovey, Megan Rice, Thomas D. Rice II, Jay Tovey, Calisandre (Cally) Tovey, Sidney Tovey, two great grandsons: Alexander Beltran, Mason Heisler, seven siblings: Glenn Rice and spouse Colleen, Austin Rice Jr. and spouse Cathleen, Irvin Rice, Lynn Rice, Lemuel Rice, May Criswell, Hazel (Carol) Kent and spouse Henry, sister-in-law Paulette Reid and spouse M. Douglas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom also has a foster daughter Michele Thelin and granddaughter Kya Thelin who lived with them for many years.

The family suggests donations in Tom's name to the Missionary Fund in care of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2nd Ward: 2700 Leon Drive, Forest Grove, OR 97116.