Samuel Lawrence Rice

Samuel Lawrence Rice, Jr. passed away Sunday peacefully in his home. He was born July 21, 1925 to Laura Champion Rice and Samuel L. Rice in Metamora, Ohio where he attended public grade school. He graduated from Howe Military School and attended Ohio Wesleyan University, Louisiana Poly Tech and Duke University. During World War II he served in the United States Navy. Following discharge he returned to Duke University where he received a degree in Economics and Business Administration. Upon graduation from Duke, he joined his father in the grain business. He specialized in oats and developed the “Turf Club Race Horse Oat” brand which became known as the leading feed for thoroughbred horses in the United States and South America. At a convention in 1959 he was introduced by an officer of Quaker Oat Company as the “Oat King” of world-an unofficial title he held the rest of his life. At the time of his death, he was President of Rice Investment Company, a company he formed in 1979. The company specializes in commodity futures and serve agricultural customers throughout the United States and in Finland. He was active in many positions in the business world, including being a member of the Advisory Board to OPS (Office of Price Stability) during the Korean War, he was Chairman of The Grain Advisory Board to Lucas County Port Authority at the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, he served as President of The Toledo Board of Trade, he was President of the National Grain and Feed Dealers Association serving on that board for many years and leading several committees, director National Grain Trade Council, director of Terminal Elevator Assn. of North America, member Chicago Board of Trade, director Mennel Milling Company and director of the old United Home Federal Savings. In his civic life he served as a trustee of Flower Hospital for 35 years, he served as a trustee of Maumee Valley Country Day School, trustee of Toledo Chamber of Commerce, President Toledo Alumni Club of Phi Delta Theta, a trustee of Lakeside Association, trustee of Toledo Rotary Club, President of the Board of Trustees First Presbyterian Church, Maumee in addition to being and elder and deacon. He was a longtime member of the Toledo Country Club, Catawba Island Club and the Longboat Key Club in Longboat Key, Florida. Sam loved his work, and did so almost right up to the time of his death. He took great pleasure in telling a good story and everyone he met was the beneficiary. He loved people and they loved him. He especially loved his wife Virginia and treasured his time with her. He was a great husband and a wonderful father. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laura and Samuel Rice, his first wife Joyce DeVerna Rice, Brothers George and John Rice and Sister Virgiwin Rice Duncan. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia, children Samuel L. Rice, III, James D. Rice (Laura), Amanda Day (Willis), grand children Samantha and Natalie Day, James and Robert Rice, step-children , Bart Nollenberger (Mary), Bruce Nollenberger (DeeDee), step-grand children Tiffany and son Niko, Tyler, Dax and Nick Nollenberger, Danielle, Blake, Jennifer and Rachel Nollenberger . The family appreciates the outstanding love and care Sam was provided by Comfort Keepers of Perrysburg and the care he received from Hospice of Northwest Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, Lakeside Association, Hospice of Northwest Ohio or charity of choice. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 28, 2015 at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, 200 E. Broadway Street, Maumee, Ohio 43537. Arrangements by Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee, Ohio.