Gary Douglas Rice

January 15, 1943 - March 6, 2022

Gary Douglas Rice of Louise, Texas, known fondly to the people of Louise as Mr. Gary, passed away March 6, 2022, at his daughter’s home in Austin, Texas. Mr. Gary passed away peacefully in his sleep after succumbing to cancer. He will be laid to rest Saturday, March 12 at Triska Funeral Home in El Campo. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Rick DuBroc officiating. Burial with military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post 251 will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Gary Douglas Rice was born in Bakersfield, California on January 15, 1943, to the late Edward and Myrtle Johnson Rice. At the age of 3, he moved to Texas with his grandmother, Varah Johnson. He often joked that he wasn’t born a Texan, but he got here as fast as he could. He grew up in Taft, Texas and attended Kenedy High School. He joined the United States Air Force in 1961 which took him around the world, spending time in places like Alaska, Europe, and South America. His mother instilled a love for music in his younger years and he enjoyed writing music, vocals, and playing the guitar. His band, The Others, won Airforce talent competitions across the US. In 1969, Gary joined Delta Airlines until he retired in 1999. In retirement, Gary moved to the small town of Louise, Texas which he often referred to as his ‘own little Mayberry’. He restored an old Victorian house and opened up Star Video just across the street. Through running his video shop, he got to know the wonderful people of Louise and made lifelong friendships. For years, he met his friends for coffee twice a day at The Short Stop. Spending time with ‘the coffee gang’ was one of his favorite past times. He is survived by his best friend and daughter, Demetra ‘Demi’ Michell and husband David Dwayne Kinney of Austin, Texas; sons, Gary Don ‘Donnie’ Rice of Richmond, Texas and Raymond ‘Randy’ Arthur Bolby of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Ryan Avery, Sawyer Hayden and Hayes Cohen Kinney of Austin, Texas, Heather Ann Patrick of Wichita, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Evans Rice and Myrtle Ione Johnson Rice, brothers, Richard Edward Rice and Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Keith Rice and sister, Norma Carole Rice Murphy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Mr. Gary may be made to the Louise Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 249, Louise, TX 77455. Triska Funeral Home, El Campo, 979-543-3681