James Gary Rice, age 61 passed into the eternal love of God Sunday, May 17, 2020, at Hickory Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center in Akron, Ohio.  James Gary Rice was born, January 18, 1959, in Akron, to the late James L. and Estella (Foston) Rice.  His health began to decline in January 2019 and by June of the same year, James required care in a skilled nursing facility.  Nevertheless, his passing was sudden, unexpected, and ironic in timing, considering the recent passing of his brother Kenneth Lynn Rice on April 9, 2020.

James’ childhood years were most certainly his happiest due to the unconditional love and protective environment provided by his parents.   James Gary Rice, known as Gary throughout his youth, attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from Buchtel High School.  As with many young men on the verge of adulthood, James begun a lifetime battle with mental illness.  After losing his Mother and Father at the age of 25, James was forced to continue life without the support he would have received from his loving parents.  Through God’s grace and mercy, James endured many of life’s turbulent tides.   James’ parents prayed and had faith that in their absence, God would always provide protection, the necessary provisions and medical care their son would need.   God honored his parent’s faith in the power of prayer.   James gradually learned new coping skills & found the mental health services he required through Community Support Services, in Akron, OH.  James was able to keep his independence in the community for many years.  Although inflicted with mental illness and other morbid illnesses that followed, James did not allow his illnesses to define him.  He was a proud man in character, always greeted others with a friendly handshake and contagious smile.   He respected others and demanded respect in return.  James acquired an innate sense of who he could trust and never hesitated to call his Big Sister Gloria & Brother-in-love Howard to come to his defense.   He loved his family and his family loved him in return.

During the turbulent tides of Covid-19, James was isolated from his family as thousands of others all over the globe.   God granted favor & mercy during this angry tide.  The family will forever be grateful to James Roberts, LSW at CSS for his sincere and heartfelt service to James, the Staff at Hickory Ridge Nursing Home and Rehab Center for making it possible for James to communicate with his Big Sister Gloria via face time on THREE occasions prior to his Heavenly Father Calling Him Home. People of God, always believe & have faith that: The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16

Rest in Peace Our Beloved Elder Brother

James will truly be missed by his loved ones.  As surviving siblings, family members, friends & professional health care providers – we collectively salute James Gary Rice.   He did the best he could, in the life God gifted him with and we praise & thank God for his faithfulness, abundant mercies, and loving-kindness. James is survived by his loving sisters, Gloria (Howard Lloyd, Sr.) Garden of Akron, OH; Beverly (Winston) Mottley, of Decatur, GA; Cynthia Rice of Columbus, OH; first cousin & intercessory prayer warrior Hellen Turner, Akron, OH; auntie & intercessory prayer warrior Mae Bell F. Echols, Atlanta, GA; aunt Lillian Foston-Walker, Decatur, GA; nephews, Howard Lloyd Garden II of Atlanta, GA; Michael LeVar Garden of Akron, OH; niece, Heather Mottley of Decatur GA; great-niece, great-nephews, great-great-nephew and a host of other relatives and friends.