James Rice

James G. Rice of Parkville, Mo., passed away peacefully Sunday, October 25, 2009, at Maywood Terrace Living Center in Independence, Mo., after a long battle with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. He was 72, born September 16, 1937, in Jefferson City, Mo., son of the late Paul R. Rice and Mildred Dwight Rice. He married Vera Wehmeir (now Vera Buell) August 25, 1957, who is the mother of his three children. He lettered in high school track for the Mile Run, and attended Jefferson City Jr. College and Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., majoring in English. While in college, he began preaching at age 19 in Fulton, Mo. He attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., earning a master of theology degree in 1968. He was an ordained minister for 15 years, preaching at several churches throughout Missouri, and served as a chaplain at the Baptist Medical Center. He became an independent insurance adjuster in 1972, and operated his own business, Mo-Kan Adjustment Co., from 1978 to 2006. His favorite hobbies were bowling, and being a Kansas City Chiefs, Royals and Missouri Tigers fan. He is survived by his daughter Karen Pener and husband Steve of Shawnee, Kan.; daughter Nancy Kimrey and husband Jim Barrows of Plattsburg, Mo.; son Greg Rice and wife Kim of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; brother Ronald Rice and wife Nancy of Farmington, Mo.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a niece, nephew, and other wonderful relatives and friends. Visitation will be held at 3 p.m., with a memorial service following at 4 p.m., on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Maywood Baptist Church, 10505 Winner Road, Independence, MO 64052, with Rev. Bob Spradling officiating. In lieu of flowers, please either make a donation to your local food pantry or to the United Services Community Action Agency, with checks payable to "United Services" and mailed to: USCAA Administration Office (Attention: Tommie Barnett, Executive Director), 6323 Manchester Ave., Kansas City, MO 64133. Thank you. We miss you dad.