Harold Richmond Rice

The Ventura County Star

17 August 2003

Submitted by: Sandi Carter

Harold Rice passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, in Grove, Okla.

Harold was born Oct. 1, 1910, in Bentonville, Ark., to Sidney and Maude Rice. He was married to Hattie Evans on Jan. 5, 1935, in Jay, Okla., and came to California shortly after their marriage. They resided in Ojai from 1947 to 1993. After the death of Hattie, his beloved wife of 58 years, Harold married Claudene Fullerton of Noel, Mo., and together they resided happily in Missouri and later in Oklahoma.

During his lifetime, Harold attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a member of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 484 for 60 years, as well as an officer. He also served as an apprenticeship instructor at Ventura College for several years. For 67 years, Harold was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Harold was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. His family was always the center of his life and they adored him. Harold had a great sense of adventure and a youthful zest for life, which allowed him to begin off-road motorcycling and RVing with family and friends at the age of 59. He never lost his love for travel or dancing. He was a very social man who always had time for a chat.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Hattie; sister Ruby Sims; and brother Dane Rice.

Harold is survived by his wife Claudene of Grove, Okla.; brothers Rex Rice of Ellensburg, Wash., and Dale Rice of Bentonville, Ark.; sister Hazel Bright of Vaughn, Ark.; son, Sidney Rice, and daughter-in-law, Jayne, of Ojai; daughter, Marcia Hall, and son-in-law, Jim, of Ojai; four grandchildren, John Rice, Christie Burgess, Andrew Hall and April Rice; seven great-grandchildren; and his wife Claudene's children, Mary Lou Locklier, Joyce Hawthorne, Patty Peacher and Eddie Peacher.

Harold enjoyed life to the fullest and lived a very long, rich life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai. Interment will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai, (805) 646-1451.

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