Gerald "Gary" Lee Rice

Gerald “Gary” Lee Rice, age 73, resident of Coweta departed this life on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Gary was born on March 20, 1949 in Wauseon, Ohio to Howard Franklin and Helen Naomi (Galbraith) Rice.  He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving in Vietnam.  Gary enlisted in the Navy on February 3, 1969 and was honorably discharged on August 2, 1978.  Gary also served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard from June 28, 1988 to November 1, 1997 as a 19D Cavalry Scout.  He was an industrial electrician at Fort Howard Paper Company in Muskogee, Oklahoma for many years.  Gary enjoyed fishing, genealogy, spending time with his grandchildren, and he was a huge OU Sooner football fan.

Gary is survived by three sons, Kenneth Rice and wife Keri of Branchburg, New Jersey, Patrick Rice and wife Sue Ann of Coweta, Oklahoma, and Travis Rice of Pryor, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Dylan Rice, Logan Rice, Britney Rynda and husband Charles, Trenton Rice, Zachary Rice, and Ethan Rice; two sisters, Joyce Wyse and husband Ed of West Unity, Ohio and Joan Batterson and husband Steve of Bryan, Ohio; one brother, Mike Rice and wife Wendy of Fairfield, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Franklin and Helen Naomi Rice and his son, Gerald Lee Rice, Jr.

Visitation will be from 12:00 – 1:30 PM on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Brown Funeral Home in Coweta, Oklahoma.  Graveside services celebrating Gary’s life will follow at 2:30 PM on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com.  The family of Gary Lee Rice entrusted his care and services to Brown Funeral Home & Cremations, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, Oklahoma 74429, 918-486-5515.