Donald Eugene Rice Sr.

Donald Eugene Rice was born on September 25, 1929 to Eugene and Mabel (Blacker) Rice in Eckley, Colorado.   He passed away on March 5, 2017 at the Yuma Life Care Center in Yuma, Colorado at the age of 87.

Don married Joyce Peavler on May 11, 1949 in Wray, Colorado and to this union three children were born Sherry, Debra and Donald, Jr.  Don and Joyce were blessed with almost sixty-eight years of marriage. 

Don grew up around Eckley then moved to Denver where they lived until 2013 at which time they returned to Yuma.

Don had various employments during his working career, for many years he worked as a long distance truck driver, later a heavy equipment mechanic with his final employment being with Federal Express from which he retired. 

Don was an avid reader, he enjoyed working with metal, welding and making things with iron along with a favorite past time of archery. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Mabel Rice and his brother-in-law, Don Kennedy.

Don will be greatly missed by his wife, Joyce; two daughters, Sherry (Russell) Achilles and Debra (Ron)  Slatton; and son, Donald Rice, Jr.; sisters, Ruth (Harry) Long of Salmon, Idaho and Iris Kennedy of Sutherland, Nebraska; brother Joe, (Deanna) Rice of Yuma, Colorado; grandchildren, Kellie (Fred) Enck of Aurora, Colorado and Nick Mulder of Phoenix, Arizona; great grandchildren, Sydney and Brenden Mulder of Phoenix, Arizona. 

The funeral service was held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Baucke Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jaime Nieves officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.