Richard Lee Rice, 60, of Whitehouse, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at UTHealth of East Texas in Tyler. He was born in Center, on Feb. 16, 1962 to Lee William Rice and Melba Sue Retherford Rice. He grew up in Sabine County and was a member of Hemphill High School Class of 1980. He later moved to Whitehouse, where he had been employed for the past 28 years as a general contractor for Stepping Stone School in Tyler.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Pamela K. Rice of Whitehouse; sons, Shane Scheppan, Jr., Matthew Scheppan, and Richard Harrell, all of Whitehouse, Tony Cochran and wife, Crystal, of Tyler, and Timothy Cochran and wife, Tracy, of Pipe; daughter, Jennifer Scheppan of Jacksonville; brothers, Thomas L. Rice of Milam and Kevin E. Rice and wife, Amanda, of Hemphill; six grandsons, four granddaughters, six great grandsons and two great granddaughters; niece, Robin Oden and husband, Josh, of Texarkana; and nephews, Brendon Rice, Truitt Dorris and Ryder Dorris, all of Hemphill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Daryl Rice; and sister, Melba Elaine Rice.

Funeral services were held Oct. 8, in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Floyd Wright officiating.

Burial followed service in Rice Family Cemetery, 1598 Carters Ferry Rd. E, Milam, with Shawn Clark, Cody Clark, Joe Clark, Phillip McIntyre, Channon Williams and Mark Pearson serving as pall barrers.