James T. "J.T." Rice, Sr.

Mr. Rice attended Woodfin High School and was a graduate of Grace High School in 1941. He attended Mars Hill College, where later in life served on the Board of Advisors and on the Board of Trustees, and was a 1947 graduate of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science, Nashville, TN.

He was a WW II Veteran of the US Army Air Corps serving as a top turret gunner and flight engineer on B-17s and was stationed with the 398th Bomb Group, 601st Squadron in England.

In 1958 he joined the West Asheville Kiwanis Club where he served as Club President in 1962, received the Outstanding Kiwanis Service Award in 1964, served as Lt. Governor, Division 1 Carolina District in 1966 as well as serving on numerous committees.

Mr. Rice was a member of Newbridge Baptist Church, was a member of Vance Masonic Lodge and the Oasis Shriners Temple.

He served on numerous Boards and Committees with the City of Asheville and Buncombe County including 8 years with the Asheville Regional Airport Authority, three terms with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Advisory Committee and served as the Charter President of the WNC Pilots Association.

Mr. Rice was a son of the late Curtis Jeter Rice and Lila Rowena Laughter Rice and was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sheila Ann Rice and brother, Walter Harold Rice.

Surviving are his loving wife, who has faithfully stood by his side for 61 years, Doris Elaine Miller Rice of the home; son, James Thomas "Tommy" Rice, Jr. (Nancy) of Asheville; sister, Mary Frances White and husband Roger of Marion; sisters in law, Peggy Allen of Asheville and Lois Rice of Easley, SC; several nieces and nephews and best friend for over 50 years, W.D. Metcalf (Hilda) of Weaverville.

Funeral services will be held 7 PM Thursday at Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Road with the Rev. Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr., Rev. Dr. John T. Tiller and Rev. Allen Rash officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Friday at Green Hills Cemetery with the Rev. Clark E. Henderson officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Memorial Team.

Mr. Rice will be in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home from 10 AM until 4PM Thursday when he will be taken to Trinity Baptist Church where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM at the church.

Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731 or CarePartners, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.

A special thanks to all the staff at the WNC Baptist Home, Aston Park Health Care Center and both of the Hospice Care Groups that provided our family their love, support and friendship over these past few years.