Dennis David Rice's Obituary
Full Obituary of Dennis David Rice
Dennis David Rice entered this world with a “bang” on July 3rd, 1942 in Aurora, Illinois. On May 24th, 2024, at the age of 81, he passed away peacefully at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida soon after proclaiming his favorite life motto, “God’s got my back.”
Dennis will be lovingly remembered by his extended circle of family and friends as “the guy who would give you the shirt off his back in a heartbeat.” Dennis spent the majority of his professional life as a Food Services Director with the Florida Department of Corrections for over 22 years. Prior to moving to Florida, he spent 10 years as a statistician at Lion Metal Products in Aurora, Illinois. He was an extremely positive influence in so many people’s lives because he genuinely enjoyed helping others. In his personal life, Dennis was passionate about his motorcycles, old cars, and old rock and roll. He was an avid animal lover and supported many animal foundations. But most of all, he loved to pun and joke. He had an unfailing ability to put a smile on the face of everyone around him and to set them at ease immediately. He loved people and loved spending quality time talking and joking with anyone he encountered. He is preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and May. Throughout his life, he enjoyed the love and support of his siblings Laurie, Jim, Boots (Virgil), Marilyn, and Vicky. He was adored as an Uncle by Annie, Ginny, Kelsey, Kenny, Kerrie, Krisie, Tod and Tom. Dennis was a devoted husband to his wife of 43 years, Linda Lou Ballou. Her family truly became his family and he lavished his love on her nieces and nephews as well as his own. His generosity and constant humor was cherished by Ann, Debby, Denise, Guy, Kathy, Lisa, Mike, Steve and their entire families. With Dennis, any friends immediately became his “adopted family for life.” This network of treasured friendships reached far and wide including Kellie, Gabe, Gabriella & Macie, Greg, Paul, Barbara, Hamlet, Katherine, and Mickey, as well as their families and so, so many unlisted others. Dennis was especially grateful for the spiritual guidance of Pastors Andrew Apple and Pat O’Brien as well as the supportive fellowship of his First Lutheran Church family. In his times of need, he truly felt the prayers and positive thoughts of all the friends and loved ones who sent them. His goal was to help others with a silly joke, a warm smile, and a hearty handshake that was always bound to make anyone feel better. So many people touched his life. His sincerest hope was that he was able to touch other people’s lives in a meaningful and positive way. Dennis was proud of his Blackfoot heritage and was cremated with the “Native Pride” cap that never strayed far from his head or heart. In lieu of a formal service, we invite you to share remembrances and photos of Dennis using the link below.
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