Joseph Rice Obituary

Joseph Alan "Butch" Rice was born September 13, 1955, in Newton, KS, the son of Leo and Carolyn Foos Rice.

Butch was the only boy in a family of four children - in order were Pamela, Butch, Madonna "Sue" (Tim), and Brenda (Ivo). Butch was funny, full of mischief and regularly orchestrated sibling rivalry. The Rice home was full of love and laughter. Leo was a conductor for Santa Fe Railroad, traveling through the week. Carolyn lovingly managed the home and was an influential life coach: "Hit a home run, and I'll buy you a milkshake!" and the ever popular, "Just wait until your dad gets home." Leo was a gentle, disciplined and devoted soul, who captured countless reels of video that included magical Christmas mornings and sweet extended family gatherings.

The Rices later moved from Newton to Emporia, where Butch graduated from high school prior to joining the U.S. Marine Corps. Butch fulfilled his military service with travels to Australia and the Philippines and was honorably discharged from the USMC in 1979.

Butch married Debbie Glenn, and they welcomed their beloved daughter, Nicole, in 1980. Butch and Debbie later divorced but remained friends, and he served as a pall bearer at her funeral in 2016. Nicole has three children: Dylan, Tyler and Calli Huffman, all of whom held a very special place in his heart.

Butch married Kelly Salber in 1994. They welcomed daughter, Olivia, in 2001, and regularly remarked that she reflects the best traits of both of them.

Butch was an accomplished athlete, earning state awards in high school gymnastics (this activity once included a fall from the rings that sent him flying into the bleachers and resulted in a concussion and cauterized nose), a try-out for the Cincinnati Reds and three witnessed holes-in-one on the golf course. Butch maintained a competitive spirit, playing double-header Friday night softball well into his 40's, with a lefty/switch-hitting/ace-shortstop/game-winning ability. He loved to have fun, and he loved to win. To put it in a nutshell: Butch was the guy everyone wanted on their team. Olivia shares his lefty/athletic persuasion and cheering her on in softball and basketball brought it all full circle for him.

Butch enjoyed spending time with his wide circle, including his sisters, brothers-in-law, children, grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Health challenges, including a stroke in 2009, and later pulmonary disease, took a toll on Butch's physical activity but he never lost grip of his divine sense of humor. Butch was known for his charming spirit, quick wit and easy-going nature. He maintained a cache of jokes, most of which were inappropriate, and a couple of which never failed to make Kelly dissolve in laughter. Butch loved winning board games and could school you on the rules from Cribbage to Scrabble. The Monopoly rules may well have been imprinted in his brain. His sisters will tell you he used the rules to make sure you were following them, but he was not above taking a few liberties with those rules himself. Especially Monopoly. While Butch was into mischief, he never deviated in his respect for the rules of play on the golf course, as evidenced by the "No Mulligans" and "Please No Carts" signs hanging in his back yard.

Butch loved Classic Rock-in-Roll, the Royals and he most certainly loved the Jayhawks, but his family was his greatest love…Including two little dogs, Abbey Road and Ferris Bueller, who are still waiting for him to come home. (And in loving memory of a special little dog, Sugar Ray, who passed in 2025. Lil Sug was hopelessly devoted to Butch. There is peace in knowing the happiness when they met at the rainbow bridge.)

Appreciation goes out to the many friends and family who gave care and support to Butch. And special acknowledgements to his nephew, Michael Weathersbee, and friends, Erica Ganson and Kelly Rettig, who provided Hospice care shifts when Butch came home. The care provided by Interim Hospice was a blessing in every way. Even in his final days, Butch Rice never forgot the importance of saying "please" and "thank you" and giving gratitude for the care given to him. May we all remember, now and forever, that kindness is contagious.

We love you, Butch Rice. Thank you for always knowing how to make us laugh. We will make sure everyone here is OK. See you on the other side…

Cremation is planned and services are as follows: A visitation on Thursday, February 26 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Warren-McElwain Mortuary; 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 27 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church; 1245 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. A Military Internment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence. A lunch will follow back at Trinity Lutheran Church for family and friends. Memorials may be sent in care of the Lawrence Humane Society.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.