Lanny Gene Rice

Lanny Gene Rice was born on June 1, 1947 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona to parents Eugene Franklin Rice Jr. and Laurella Elsbeth Leigh Rice. He moved with his parents to Globe, Arizona in 1950 when his father accepted a position with Sachs Motor Company.

Lanny was one of three children. His older sister was Claire Ann Rice and his younger brother is Danny Joe Rice Sr. His childhood home was on East Cottonwood Street. As a child, he enjoyed outdoor activities with his family and friends.  He liked to fish and play basketball. He and several of his friends (Billy Harmon, Jerry DeRose, Danny Knauer) dubbed themselves ‘The High Street Gang’.   He enjoyed the game of tennis and was a very good bowler.  Lanny left Globe to attend ASU and studied Accounting.

He returned to Globe to start a family with Barbara Murphy. In 1967 they welcomed their first child, Laurie and in 1969, their son Timothy. Lanny was a familiar face to many in Globe as he drove the local bread truck before eventually starting work with Blue Bird Mine in the warehouse. He soon took a position with Ranchers Exploration and Mining as a Heavy Equipment Operator and eventually a shift supervisor. He stayed with Ranchers until the mine closed in the early 80s and then took a job in Alaska mining gold for Ranchers. He returned to Globe in September of 1981 and started work with Gene Rice Company – his father’s business. He and his brother Danny took over the business in 1999.

Lanny was not one to sit still. He came out of retirement to work at the local Circle K and also Ace Hardware. He loved the interactions with the community those positions provided him. Lanny took much pride in his children, but most of all loved being a Grandpa. He travelled often to Phoenix and Payson to attend their events and enjoyed every moment. He proudly shared their latest pictures with anyone he struck up a conversation with.

Lanny recently moved to Mesa, AZ and resided at the Discovery Point retirement community. He spent his free time playing cards and had recently taken up Wii bowling. He and his table mates were known as the rowdy crowd in the dining hall. In the short time he was there, he made many new friends and was very well loved.

Lanny is survived by his brother Danny Rice Sr (Florence, AZ), his daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Vel Sneezy (Mesa, AZ), his son and daughter-in-law Tim and Karen Rice (Payson, Az), his grandchildren Mary Natsyn, Kelsey Sneezy, Kaylee Sneezy, Austin Rice, Rebekah Rice, Taylor Brade, Makenzie Brade, and his great grandson Wyatt Higgins.