Lowell Jerome "Jerry" Rice

A lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, Lowell Jerome “Jerry” Rice, age 91, passed away peacefully at home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on November 2nd after his hard-fought battle with a rare blood disorder, chronic nerve pain and Parkinson’s. Jerry was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin to William and Elsie (Burkhardt) Rice on September 28, 1931. He attended St. James Catholic School until 8th grade and went on to graduate from Mary D. Bradford High School. Jerry proudly served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, as a dental assistant while attending the State University of New York in New York City. He returned to Wisconsin and used the GI bill to continue his education to graduate with a Business degree from Spencerian College in Milwaukee. During his employment at Eaton Corporation, Jerry worked his way up to Purchasing Manager. He was passionate about his job and formed lasting relationships with colleagues and the foundry suppliers he purchased from for over 34 years. Jerry met Mary (Hassinger) Rice in 1971 while out at a happy hour with his brother, Dick. They were married at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Kenosha on December 27, 1973. Jerry was the proud father of three children. Owen Jerome Rice and Beth Ellen (Rice) Tickner were brought into the world during his first marriage. Mary and Jerry welcomed Erin English Rice into the family in 1980. In the late 60’s, the family joined the Kenosha Towne Club where Jerry discovered the joy of tennis. He won many singles, doubles and mixed doubles tournaments. He continued winning trophies at the Kenosha Country Club and Kenosha city tournaments. Jerry enjoyed getting Mary and his kids out on the tennis court and loved watching them compete and win their own trophies. While living in Florida, Jerry continued playing competitive tennis most days of the week and won the men’s singles title at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. Over the years, he traveled with family and friends to various ATP tournaments in the Midwest. Jerry and Mary discovered a passion for running in the late 70’s. He loved running and couldn’t be deterred by cold weather, often coming home with icicles hanging from his running cap. Jerry ran seven marathons starting with the Milwaukee Marathon at the age of 49, followed up by two Madison Marathons where he qualified for the Boston Marathon. His greatest running accomplishment was finishing Boston in 3:17:07 (7:30 min/mile) in 1984. He followed up with the Los Angeles Marathon and completed his running career with the Chicago Marathon and the New York Marathon on back-to-back weekends in October/November 1988. After taking early retirement, Jerry and Mary relocated to Florida in 1999. In his free time, Jerry was able to travel more and loved exploring Mexico, England, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and France with his loved ones. In his later years, he enjoyed watching sports on television with Mary. In particular, he loved cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers, celebrating Packers wins with a scotch neat, and rooting for the underdog in any given tennis match. Jerry was a member of the Milwaukee Purchasing Managers Association and the Elks Club. He enjoyed bike rides, swimming and entertaining. There is nothing he loved more than wearing shorts on a sunny day while being surrounded by family, friends, good music, and an open bar. He loved entertaining and having annual 4th of July and Christmas parties. He will be remembered for his bright blue eyes and ability to retell jokes. Jerry was a loyal, determined and resilient man and role model. He was fun, yet practical. Jerry cherished his lifelong friendships. He was the patriarch of his family and will be sincerely missed by many. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, William and Elsie Rice; younger brothers Richard “Dick” Rice and Lawrence “Larry” Rice; and brother-in-law, David Gerdes. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Mary; older brother William “Bill” Rice, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Sue (Boyle) Rice and Karen (Hassinger) Gerdes; children, Owen Rice, Beth Tickner and Erin Rice; two grandchildren, Mason Tickner and Westbrook Tickner; one niece, Amy (Gerdes) Thelen and one nephew, James Gerdes. A memorial service will take place on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 12 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick (7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota). Visitation with the family will take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Jerry will be cremated, and a military burial will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in Kenosha, at a yet to be determined time in summer 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, Florida (https://www.churchofstpatrick.org/give) or Team Rubicon (https://teamrubiconusa.org/) would be greatly appreciated.

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Lowell Jerome "Jerry" Rice

September 28, 1931 - November 2, 2022