Obituary of K Wayne Rice

K Wayne Rice

The world lost a good one.

Kenneth "Wayne" Rice is at peace as of June 25, 2021. He was 77 years old.

Wayne was a husband, a father, a grandpa, and a friend to all who met him. Born in Richmond, VA, on February 28, 1944,he met his treasured wife Sharon in high school and never looked back. They married in 1966 while he was still a cadet at his alma mater Virginia Tech (known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute in those days). Go Hokies!

After graduating from Tech, he and Sharon had their daughter, Donni. The trio drove cross country to White Sands New Mexico, where Wayne was stationed in preparation to proudly serve his country as a member of the Army in the Vietnam War. 

After his tour was up, they relocated to California, where Wayne had intended to start a job as a civil engineer. However, he quickly realized that was not his calling, and discovered a passion and gift for investment real estate. He set up shop, and embarked on a successful career that spanned more than 40 years. He and Sharon soon had their son Trevor, and the family of four began a more than 50-year life in the Golden State.

Most of the years were spent in Danville, California. Wayne was active in so many activities and organizations it is hard to count them all. They include: the Danville Sycamore Valley Rotary Club, Vietnam Veterans of America, Mustang Soccer, Round Table Pizza Softball Team, and, perhaps the most important, the Top Bananas coed adult soccer team. He coached his kids in soccer and baseball, and happily escorted them to Indian Guides and Indian Princesses. His kids don’t remember Wayne ever missing a parent teacher conference or school activity or sporting event. To many he will always be known as Coach, clipboard in hand, advice at the ready.

The Rices were known for hosting so many social functions: their 4th of July parties were legendary. Wayne volunteered as an auctioneer at many charitable functions, and he and Sharon travelled extensively. It was a shock, then, when Wayne started being a bit off at parties and dinners. It wasn’t long before the family realized life that Alzheimer’s was going to steal this man away from so many. Wayne endured more than a decade with the disease, and he and Sharon moved to Minnesota in 2014 to be closer to Donni. He spent his last years in the loving care of the friends at Wealshire of Boomington. While we are glad he is at peace, we are angry that we no longer get to hear his laugh or watch his bad dancing or eat his overdone grilling.

Wayne is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Donni (Rich), son Trevor (Sarah), grandchildren Carter and Frankie, sister Carol (Don) and nephew Ian (Tara and baby Mila).  He is predeceased by his parents Martin and Edith Rice.

Wayne will be laid to rest in Virginia. Memorial celebrations will be announced soon.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), Secondhand Hounds animal rescue in Minnesota (secondhandhounds.org), or to the charity of your choice.