James Lionel Rice, 80
Published 4:39 pm Friday, March 24, 2023
James Lionel Rice, 80, ended life’s journey Saturday, March 18, 2023. He was born July 9, 1942 and raised in Danville, Kentucky, the older son of the late William Jefferson and Gail Robinson Rice.
He is survived by his son and grandson, James (Dylan), daughter and granddaughter, Janelle (Brooke), granddaughter, Brittany, and great granddaughters, Bella and Baylee. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Janis, daughter, Julie, and younger brother, Stuart Rice. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Linda, and niece, Kelly Rice.
Prior to graduating from Danville High School, where he proudly served as president of the class of 1960, he was active in: Boy Scouts and Air Explorers, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, receiving the God and Country Award, and selection into Order of the Arrow; music – piano and clarinet – served as band drum major, and was chosen for all-state band and orchestra; and Civil Air Patrol, where he was a Cadet Major and represented the United States and Kentucky in the International Air Cadet Exchange to the Netherlands in 1960.
He graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Economics, and was drum major for the Marching Owl Band.
His career started in computer programming in its earliest days, and he held several positions in industry before joining an international accounting and consulting firm where he became a Director of Management Advisory Services. He specialized in implementation of large-scale computerized financial information systems for city and county governments and public utilities.
In his later career, he provided management consulting for several Fortune 500 companies and state governments; served as a senior executive for a food cooperative; and managed a project to replace and upgrade to a new comprehensive financial system for a large government entity.
He enjoyed downhill skiing, National Parks, RV travel throughout the United States, golf, personal computers and the internet, and quilting. He was a great man with a sense of humor, friendly to all and will be missed dearly.
A private service for family members will be held at a later date.