John R. Rice, 94, of Stamford, passed away on Friday, June 22, 2012 in Stamford. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Stamford with Rev. Jacob West officiating. Burial will follow in the Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. John Robert Rice Jr. was born September 29, 1917 in Greenville, Texas to John Robert Sr. and Mamie Rice. He moved to Stamford as a child and was raised and educated there. He graduated Stamford High School in 1936. After graduation he went to work for the Stamford bank and worked for 6 years before enlisting in the U. S. Army. He was a veteran of World War II. John R. married Theda Lou Dodgen on October 5, 1940 in Stamford. After his service in the army, John R. returned to Stamford and resumed his career in banking. He worked for the Stamford bank for 48 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stamford. Left to cherish his memories are 2 sons, Robert Rice and wife Jeanie of Snyder and Ronny Rice and wife Linda of Andrews, 1 daughter, Melinda Rice of Stamford, 3 grand daughters, Jodi Renteria and husband Daniel of Katy, TX, Johnna Thompson and husband Jeff of Cedar Hills, TX, and Emily Rice of Snyder, TX, 3 great grandchildren, Jordan Renteria, Evan Renteria and Zachary Renteria, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, 1 brother, Thurman Crawford Rice, and 3 sisters, Fay McKinstry, Lois White, and Zelda Mae Crowe.