Ernest “Kelly” Rice

Ernest “Kelly” Rice, Jr.
Age 54, of Tipp City, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at his home. He was born August 15, 1966, in Dayton, Ohio, to his parents Ernest Kelly & Frances Jean (Lake) Rice. Kelly graduated from Belmont High School class of 1984. He joined the US Air Force following high school where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and served as a crew chief and aircraft mechanic until his retirement. During his time in the Air Force, he served numerous tours of duty overseas including Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. He was a police officer for the Riverside Police Department for over 13 years. 
With his dedication to Mission 22, he spent countless hours helping and supporting veterans at the VA Hospital and participating in veteran groups at the Ginghamsburg Church. He also volunteered as a student mentor at Brantwood Elementary, a recess monitor at St. Christopher School, and served at the St. Patricks soup kitchen in Troy. 
He will be missed and remembered by his wife Jodi (Magato) Rice; mother Frances Jean Rice of Kettering; children Marisa Rice of Miamisburg, Jacob Rice of Tipp City, Jillian Magato of Tipp City, Alissa Magato of Tipp City, Brooklyn Rice of Tipp City; brothers Timothy Lake of Kettering, Mark Rice of Kettering, Dane & Christine Rice of Tipp City, Michael & Betsy Magato of Marietta, Georgia.
Kelly; former wife Lisa Hartman of Beavercreek. He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Rice; former wife Kim Riley. 
A private family service will be held with interment at Dayton National Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family will be held 4:00-8:00 PM Monday, August 31, at Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home, 284 N. Miami Street, West Milton. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Mission 22,     https://mission22.networkforgood.com.  Online memories may be left for the family at www.hale-sarver.com

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