Cover photo for Verle Rice's Obituary
Verle Rice Profile Photo
1933 Verle 2006

Verle Rice

June 11, 1933 — August 8, 2006

Verle LeRoy Rice of Harrisonville, Missouri was born June 11, 1933 in Lee's Summit, Missouri the son of RB and Velma (Hall) Rice. He was raised and graduated from high school in Lee's Summit, Missouri. He served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 and was honorably discharged. Married Joyce Heerwald on June 17, 1954. Using the GI Bill, he achieved a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics from the University of Kansas in 1960. Worked as sales manager for RB Rice Sausage from 1960 to 1964. He started Rice Enterprises Investments in 1964 which led to real estate, aviation and many other business ventures which he successfully completed when he purchased J.R. Prewitt & Son Manufacturing in 1972. The business was reincorporated as RB Industries in 1976 and Verle was involved with it for 34 years.

Verle served on several corporate boards but was most proud of his time on Midland Bank's Board of Directors. He was a member of Ararat Shrine and served in several units. He also flew severely burned children to Shrine Hospitals in his private plane. Verle served on the Harrisonville Christian School Board for many years. He helped build a new church in Florida and was involved in several ministries.
Verle was an avid motorhomer and loved to travel. Over his 36 years of traveling in his motorhomes, he never met anyone who he couldn't find the good in them. He was quite simply a people person and loved to be in a crowd.
Verle had a close, deep faith and relationship with Jesus. He always found new insights into life with his daily devotionals.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Harold and a sister, Doris Gunn.

He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 52 years, son Kris (Stacey), grandchildren, Ashley and Joshua, son Craig, grandchildren, Derek and Dillon, daughter, Karen (Robb), grandchildren, Preston, Spencer and Alek, his sister, Elberta Hertzog, sister-in-law, Wanda Rice and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation. A memorial service was held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2006 at the Harrisonville Mennonite Church, Harrisonville.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Life Choice Center for Women or the Harrisonville Christian School Foundation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Verle Rice, please visit our flower store.

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