SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Keith Ronald Rice, 70, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Norma Shives Rice, died Thursday evening, July 29, 2010, at his home.
Born in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Ray Roscoe Rice and the late Elsie Victoria Custer Rice. He retired as an E-8 (Master Sergeant) Air Traffic Controller for the United States Army. He served his country with honor during two tours in Korea and the Vietnam War. He earned a Bronze Star and numerous other awards. After retirement he and his wife owned and operated Keith's Crab House. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Wanita Stephenson, and three brothers, Ray Rice, Jr., Renan Rice and Glen Rice.
Surviving are his wife of fifty years, Norma Shives Rice of Savannah, Georgia; two daughters, Debbie Rice-Reagan and her husband, Ronnie Reagan, and Donna Lodge and her husband, James "Lonnie" Lodge, Jr., all of Savannah, Georgia; two sons, Keith R. Rice II and his wife, Summer, of Newington, Georgia, and Kurt Rice and his wife, Beth, of Brunswick, Georgia; five grandchildren, James Lodge III, Wyatt Rice, West Rice, Jake Durden and Ricky Durden; four sisters, Corinne DeLawder and Relda White of West Virginia, Bobbye Morgan and Sandy Norman, and one brother, Frank Rice all of Virginia and many well-loved nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Sunday at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The funeral service will be held at 10 o'clock Monday morning in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by The Reverend Henry Bazemore, Jr. Interment, with full military honors, will be in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park - East.
Remembrances: The Salvation Army - 3100 Montgomery Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405.