Dean Rice
Retired from U.S. Postal Service; employed by Buford Street Drug and Ace Hardware

Harold Dean Rice, 72, of 139 Coventry Court, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Born in Gaffney, he was the husband of Betty Spencer Rice and son of the late Ralph (Jack) Rice and Laura Jeanette Elmore Rice. Mr. Rice was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was currently employed by Buford Street Drug and Ace Hardware. He formerly operated the snack bar at West Lane Bowl.

Mr. Rice was a member of the Lions Club, a former Naval Reservist and a member of the Cherokee County Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. He was a member of East Gaffney Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Tim Rice of Arlington, Texas; two brothers, Jack Rice and wife, Janice, of Sarasota, Fla., and Bill Ray Rice and wife, Becky, of Gaffney; and two sisters, Faye Frady of Advance, N.C., and Brenda Jolley and husband, Dale, of Gaffney.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rice was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Raul Lugo and the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center Intensive Care for their outstanding care during the past month.

Services were held Sunday at 4 p.m. in Blakely Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Ron Jackson and Mr. Ashby Blakely. Interment was in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Bobby Sellars, F.M. Gamble, Mitch Rice, Brad Jolley, Lee Dutton and Dr. Rahul Mehra.

Honorary pallbearers will be current and past employees of the U.S. Postal Service in Gaffney and current employees of Buford Street Drug and Ace Hardware.

Visitation was held Saturday evening from 6-7:30 at Blakely Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, S.C. 29342 ;or to the charity of one's choice.

The family is at the home.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.