Obituary for Phillip Rice

Phillip Rice

December 27, 1928 – April 9, 2024

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Phillip Walton Rice, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2024. A memorial service will be held in honor of Phil at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Phil was born December 27, 1928, in Holbrook, Nebraska, and he went to school in Hayes Center and Curtis, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska until joining the Air Force in September of 1950. In the Air Force, he quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and it was in the Air Force where he developed his knowledge of electronics. This led to his initial career as a television repairman in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Phil moved his family to Colorado in 1957, where he took a position with the Martin-Marietta aerospace division, with whom he had a successful career as a Test Engineer. He worked on the development of the Titan missile system and was specially selected to be part of a ten-person crew that worked on the first Titan missile flight at Cape Canaveral. He also contributed to the Apollo space program while working for Beech Aircraft. In 1965, Phil and family moved to Atwood, Kansas, where for three years he co-owned and operated an Ace Hardware store. Phil was recruited into the banking industry by the owners of the State Bank of Atwood, and he worked there as a Vice-President until moving to Ponca City, in 1977, to join Pioneer Bank and Trust. Phil retired from banking in 1990, but followed with a successful career as a real estate agent in Ponca City, selling residential real estate until 2012.

Phil was a member of the Lions Club, Ambucs, Elks Lodge, Kansas Shrine, and was a Freemason. His professional memberships included the National Board of Realtors and Oklahoma Association of Realtors. Aside from his professional accomplishments, Phil had a passion for playing golf with friends, woodworking, and gardening. He enjoyed building bird houses as one of his favorite woodworking projects. Phil enjoyed dancing and listening to music. His favorites were Big Band and Country Western. His favorite pets were Dachshunds, and the family had several over the years.

Phil was preceded in death by: his sister, Lillian; brother, Charles, and his first wife, Ruby (Frick), to whom he married in 1951, They were married for 59 years. He is survived by: his sons, Rick (wife Joanne and kids, Gillian and Griffin) of Grass Valley, California, Randy (wife Cheryl and son Duncan) of Olathe, Kansas, and by his wife, Kay Anthony and her kids, Rick Anthony (wife Kathy) of Temple, Texas, and Wendy Gallentine (husband Mike) of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Phil and Kay had both been widowed in 2011, and he had been a golfing buddy of Kay’s husband, Bob Anthony. They became companions in 2012 and combined their interests, churches, families, and friends, and both felt richer for having found love the second time around. They were married on March 18, 2017, and were blessed to have celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary last month.

Phil will be remembered for his kind and gentle nature, his dedication to his family, and his love for life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. 6th St, Ponca City, OK 74601, or Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund, 3612 Lake Rd, Ponca City, OK 74604. Rest in peace, Phil. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Source: Trout Funeral Home