- Date Of Birth: March 10, 1928
- Date Of Death: July 10, 2016
- State: Utah
Charles Andrew Rice
March 10, 1928 – July 10, 2016
Charles Andrew Rice peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2016. He was born on March 10, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Metropolis, Nevada and Gridley, California. He served in the US Navy (1948-1952) as a radio operator during a portion of the Korean War. He served an LDS mission to Auckland, New Zealand (1952-1954) where he met his sweetheart Polly Enoka and later they served together in the New Zealand Temple mission (1997-1997). In 1954, he and Polly were married. They were blessed to adopt their four children and resided in Clinton, Utah for 55 years.
Dad had a devout love for his country. He was privileged to sail around the world while serving on the destroyer USS Dennis J. Buckley 808 and later worked at Hill Air Force Base for 30 years. In addition to singing patriotic songs on the ukulele, Dad also loved singing hymns with Mom. Dad was dedicated and passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Bishop of the Clinton 1st Ward, he raised money and labored many hours in the building of two new churches. Dad was equally dedicated to his family. He frequently told his children, “No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can call me and I will be there for you.”
Honoring family traditions and heritage remained a key aspect of Dad’s life. Dad embraced Mom’s Maori culture, made annual trips to Metropolis to decorate his mother’s grave, and always played a grand “Happy Birthday” on the piano at monthly family parties.
Although we will miss him dearly, we know that a magnificent reunion has taken place with his sweetheart Polly, parents, and siblings that preceded him in death. He is survived by his four children, Arlin, Lauretta Sechrest (Scott), Lani Hoye (Jeff), and Laurn (Katie); 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a sister Marlene Hansen (Blaine).
