James Riley Rice 88, from Bayard, NE passed away at Regional West Medical Center on November 28, 2023. Services will be held at the Bayard Church of Christ on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 am with Pastor Bill Ferrero officiating. Burial following at Bayard Cemetery with military honors. Memorials have been established to the Bayard Church of Christ. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jim was born in Merna, NE on August 11, 1935 to William and Helen (Neusbaum) Rice and grew up and attended school in Sumner, NE. Jim was one of eight children.
Jim joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1960. He later came to Bayard began his construction career working initially for Nelson Construction. He married Janice Davis and they had a daughter Nancy. In 1964, Jim started working for his brother Don, Rice Construction Company. He and his brother Don spent the next 40 plus years building quality residential and commercial properties.
Jim was well known by area residents and friends as an honest, fair, and talented craftsman. He was patient, kind, and generous. His passions included working in his garden, helping out at the barn, Ford’s, and giving his expert advice with all the projects his family attempted. He was so proud of his grandsons. His calendar was often occupied attending games of theirs as they grew up, attended high school, and college games they participated in. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.
Jim is survived by his loving daughter Nancy (Jason) Brill of Elkhorn, NE, grandson Jordan R (Skylar) Brill and their family Payton and Jaxson Brill all of Elkhorn, NE, grandson Jared W. Brill of Scottsdale, AZ and grandson Jaylen B Brill of Elkhorn, NE; two brothers Harold Rice of Minnesota and Dale Rice of York, NE; sister Ardyth Mills of Wakefield, NE and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, an infant sister, a sister Katherine Nolan and brothers Ed and Don Rice.
Special thanks to all who took great care of my dad Jim, Deb and Kevin Patterson, Tina and Rick Douglas, Tate and Kelly Rice, Nikki and Jamie Fields, Marian Rein.