John David Rice's Obituary
John “David” Rice was born on March 23, 1939, in Springfield, Missouri.
Springfield was David’s hometown. He attended public schools K-12. David graduated from Parkview High School, Class of ’57. He had many fond memories of Springfield. One of his favorite memories was working for a veterinarian on the weekends and after school.
David furthered his education at the University of Michigan where he received an MBA. However, he interrupted his college education to enlist in the US Navy where he served as an LT JG on the Gunstan Hall LSD-5.
After finishing his Michigan MBA, David went to work for an advertising agency in New York City. Benton and Bowles made commercials and advertised for companies such as Proctor & Gamble. One of David’s first clients was for a new product, “Pampers!”
Later in years David would become involved in volunteering. Lubbock Literacy used volunteers to go the local prison in South Carolina and tutor the male prisoners in reading. He was once interviewed by the host of NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
David loved golf and enjoyed it for many years. If he was not on the golf course, he would watch it on TV. He even Marshalled at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for a few years.
He also loved his African Gray Parrot “Earl.” The two of them would watch TV together and remark on everything from a touchdown, “Go Blue!!”, to what color was Vanna White’s outfit that evening.
David leaves behind his wife of 25 years – Kitty Urmson Rice, Daughter – Allegra Knight-Byrnes and son-in-law Jeff, his “kid sister” Susan Rice and her two sons, Jeff Eames and Justin Eames, and the entire Urmson family.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Mount Dora, Florida on September 5, 2025. David will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
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