Ronald Lee "Rock" Rice of Allen, TX, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
Here is the shape of a life remembered with love.
Ronald held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Ronald was held.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Ronald Lee Rice
Sep 03 1944 - Apr 25 2026 Apr 25 2026
Ronald Lee Rice, known as "Rock," 81, passed peacefully from this life to his place in heaven on April 25, 2026, following complications of Dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Rock was born on September 3, 1944, in Blue Ridge, TX, to Arby Watson Rice and Clara Pauline Lambden Rice. A graduate of Blue Ridge High School, he later earned a certificate in HVAC from Grayson Community College. Following early roles with Murdoch Lead and Dallas Power & Light, Rock dedicated 33 years to Texas Instruments. He retired in 1998 as a Project Manager specializing in government projects.
Rock loved hunting, fishing, and gardening, and he took great pleasure in sharing his produce with others. His commitment to his community was deep: he coached little league baseball, was an active member of the Blue Ridge Riding Club, and served several years on the Blue Ridge School Board. He also found fulfillment in delivering Meals on Wheels and serving at Blue Ridge First Baptist Church in various capacities where he was a member for over 64 years.
Of all his accomplishments, his greatest joy was his family. Rock is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy; his two sons, Grant (Tara) and Garret (Nichole); and his four grandsons, Collin, Hayden, Owen, and Bo, to whom he was the world's greatest "Papa." He is also survived by his brothers, John (Sherry) and Jerry (Dawn), along with his beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arby and Pauline Rice; his sister, Vivian Bumpass and her husband Loyd; his brother, Leon Rice and his wife Wilma; and his nephews, Gary and Mark Bumpass.
A visitation will be held at Blue Ridge First Baptist Church on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer's Research https://alzfdn.org/donate/ in Rock's memory.
TJM McKinney / Allen / Plano is honored to serve the family of Ronald Lee Rice.
