Obituary of Walter David Rice

Walter David Rice, born October 14, 1919, passed away peacefully at a local Convalescent Home on January 13, 2006. He had been an Alzheimer patient for some time. He is now at peace with his Lord. Walter was born to Frederick & Vivian Rice in Blythe, CA. He was one of 7 children. His family moved throughout various locations in California and settled in the Lodi area where he graduated from the Adventist Elementary School. They then located in the Modesto area where he graduated from Modesto Union Academy. He married Lenore Hardesty in 1941. He was unable to go in the service during World War II and thus moved to the Oakland area and worked in the shipyards. He retired from the Seventh-day Adventist Church after 25 years of service as Transportation Manager. He also helped construct many church buildings and Pine Crest Summer Camp in Lake Tahoe. He came out of retirement and became CEO for Cherokee Memorial Park for 15 years. He retired again, came out of retirement and reactivated his real estate license and worked for several firms in the area selling real estate. Walter was very involved in his church work for years and was a member and Deacon at the English Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was heavily involved in getting the Golden Oaks Retirement Center built. Walter loved his church involvement, photography, his rose gardens and traveling world wide. Later in life he found cruising to be a great joy. His last cruise was to Alaska, and he loved it. He married Dorean Newhall in 1985 and again started a new life and career as a Process Server for various businesses in Lodi and for the Credit Bureau where Dorean worked. Walter became involved in the community along with Dorean doing volunteer work. He was an Ambassador to the Lodi Chamber of Commerce and loved meeting new people and welcoming new businesses to Lodi. He was named Volunteer of the Year for the Chamber of Commerce in 1996. He and Dorean were both awarded the William T. Harkins Outstanding Citizen Award by the Chamber of Commerce in 1999. This was the only time that a couple had been given this award. Walter was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all his family. Walter is survived by his wife, Dorean Rice of Acampo, his son, David Rice (Charlotte) of St. Helena and daughter, Sally Mohr (Fred) of Lodi. Grandchildren: Shelly Von Rijn (Sibastiaan) of Lake Berryesa, CA, Terry Mann (Leslie) of Eau Claire, MI, Garry Mann (Stephanie) of Mt. Alkum, CA and Jerry Mann (Kari) of Lodi. He was preceded in death by his siblings and Grandson Larry Mann of Lodi. He is also survived by his Step-children: William Newhall (Cathy), David Newhall, George "Bud" Newhall (Linda), Tom Newhall (Debbie), Dan Newhall ( Pat), Lance Newhall (Brenda), Dean Newhall (Linda) and Cherrie Newhall Falwell (Curtis). Walter is survived by his Step-Grandchildren: David Newhall II (Stacey), Michael Newhall, Thomas Newhall, Trenton Newhall, Lacey Newhall, Dean Newhall, Holly Newhall, Amanda Rubly, Makenzie Rubly, Nicole Erkson, Curtis (CJ) Falwell, Marla Conboy, Angela Stroble. Step-Great-Grandchildren are James Michael Newhall, Alexis Newhall, Zackary David Newhall, Aaron Conboy, Nicole Conboy, Forest Stroble, Tyler Stroble and Summer Stroble. A celebration of Walter's life will be held at Lodi Funeral Home on January 19th at 11:00 a.m. with pastor Bob Williams officiating. A gathering will be held immediately after the memorial at Arbor Mobile Home Park's Club House. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Charity of choice.