David Kenton "Ken" Rice, reaching the age of 83 years, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 23 ^rd in Fort Worth, Texas at a local hospital.

Ken was born in Wayne County, Kentucky to the late Grant and Leila Rice on September 26 ^th , 1937. He attended Monticello High School, and was a member of the 12 ^th Region 1955-1956 champion basketball team. He enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard, where he served for 36 years and 2 months; with the following commands on his record: the commander of Battery C 1/623rd F.A. Battalion, as well as commander of 1/623rd F.A. Battalion. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel for his outstanding duty and service. In civilian life, Ken worked in hospital, long-term care, and retirement community administration. He was a co-author of the Nursing Home Administrator Licensure Law and he held license number 0001. In 2007, during his retirement from nursing home administration, he founded an aviation training company, Fly Texas Sky, which he operated in Fort Worth, Texas for several years. His other interests were golf, motorcycles, and York peppermint patties.

Ken was a member of Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

In addition to his parents, Ken is preceded in death by his brothers: Frank D. and Gary B. Rice, as well as a sister, Cheryl (Rice) Fletcher. Ken is survived by: his wife, Sharon, and their son, Joseph E. Rice. Also surviving are his sons: David Shane Rice and wife, Holly; Richard Grant Rice and fiancée, Angie; and two grandchildren: Benjamin Grant Rice and Amy Lynn Rice. He is also survived by a brother, Myson C. Rice, and a sister, Patsy (Rice) Bates.

A graveside service and burial will be held at Elk Spring Cemetery in Monticello, Kentucky on March 3 ^rd , at 1pm EST. The service will be available for virtual attendance through Ken's Facebook page.     Arrangements for the services are coordinated by Hickey Funeral Home, and the graveside service will be officiated by Dr. Carroll Marr, senior pastor of Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

During these times of Covid, we would like to request that at risk individuals not attend. If you do choose to attend, masks are required when within 6 ft of another person.

Memorials and expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: Bethel United Baptist Church of Parmleysville, KY at Hickey Funeral Home.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation and upon recommendations from the Governor's Office for Funeral Homes, there will be some restrictions for service attendance. You are asked to please wear a mask or facial covering and observe the social distancing guidelines. No communal food or drinks are allowed at this time. Please feel free to sign the online guestbook or send a private condolence message through our website.

Hickey Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.