JACKSON — Thomas Irwin Rice, III went to be with his Heavenly Father Thursday, July 17, at age 82. He lived a full life shaped by his steadfast love for the Lord and a desire to serve and love anyone in his path.
Visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, in the Greeting Courtyard on Monday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m., with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Tom was born July 29, 1942, in Sumner to the late Thomas Irwin Rice, Jr. and Margaret Lanford Rice. He graduated from West Tallahatchie High School and attended Ole Miss, where he received a degree in Business Administration. He was an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity and served as the trainer for the Ole Miss football team under Coach Johnny Vaught. He had a healthy love for Ole Miss football and was recognized for cheering on the Rebels for 75 consecutive Egg Bowls.
Tom started his career working for Case Tractor in the Delta then moved to Jackson, for a job with Mutual of New York where he worked for 34 years and achieved Hall of Fame status. He continued as a financial planner with Woodbury Financial and ended his career with Southeastern Financial.
Tom was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing courses across North America and Scotland. He served for 21 years as the chairman of the walking scorers for the Sanderson Farms Championship, Mississippi’s only PGA TOUR event, and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2016. This summer, the Sanderson Farms Championship named their Volunteer Center in his honor.
Tom also loved being a football official, serving on the field for 35 years and coordinating the gameday officials for the MAIS for 30 years. In 2009, the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools elected him to their Hall of Fame.
One of Tom’s greatest privileges was serving as a Deacon and a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. He served with joy and humility for 40 years. He was a faithful member of the Young Seekers Sunday School class and was honored to serve on numerous committees to support the worship and work of the church.
Tom was a wonderful cook, famous for his comeback dressing and grilling a perfect steak. He designated Saturday night as “Steak Night” and gathered his family (and occasionally friends) around the table each week. In recent years, these evenings concluded with Tom playing highly competitive games of Uno with his children and grandchildren. Very few things in life brought him more joy than playing a Draw Four with a sly grin.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Moseley Rice; son, Thomas Moseley Rice of Madison; and daughter, Mary Katherine Neely (Clay) of Madison; grandchildren, Dorrian James Morrissette, Katherine Clayton Neely, Eleanor Grace Neely and Mary Lanford Neely; sisters Margaret Rice Keeler, of Clarksdale, Meadie Rice Williams of Sumner; and his brother, Lent Irwin Rice, II (Glenda) of Hernando; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be Mark Baird, Mack Ely, Michael Ely, George Fair, Gary Herring, Herman Jacobi, Harper Keeler, John Neville, Joel Payne, and Les Triplett.
Memorials may be made to The Gideons, Twin Lakes Conference Center, Reformed Theological Seminary, and the First Presbyterian Church Missions Fund.
