Richard Lee Rice, 60, of Whitehouse, Texas passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at UTHealth of East Texas in Tyler.

Richard was born in Center, Texas on February 16, 1962 to Lee William Rice and Melba Sue Retherford Rice.  He grew up in Sabine County and was a member of Hemphill High School Class of 1980.  He later moved to Whitehouse, Texas where he had been employed for the past 28 years as a general contractor for Stepping Stone School in Tyler.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking.

Richard is survived by his wife of 15 years, Pamela K. Rice of Whitehouse; sons, Shane Scheppan, Jr., Matthew Scheppan, and Richard Harrell, all of Whitehouse, Tony Cochran and wife, Crystal, of Tyler, and Timothy Cochran and wife, Tracy, of Pipe; daughter, Jennifer Scheppan of Jacksonville; brothers, Thomas L. Rice of Milam and Kevin E. Rice and wife, Amanda, of Hemphill; six grandsons, four granddaughters, six great grandsons and two great granddaughters; niece, Robin Oden and husband, Josh, of Texarkana; and nephew, Brendon Rice, Truitt Dorris and Ryder Dorris, all of Hemphill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Melba Rice; brother, William Daryl Rice; and sister, Melba Elaine Rice.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Starr Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Floyd Wright officiating.

Burial will follow service in Rice Family Cemetery, 1598 Carters Ferry Rd. E, Milam, Texas with Shawn Clark, Cody Clark, Joe Clark, Phillip McIntyre, Channon Williams and Mark Pearson.

Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome.com.