Obit of Rice, B.J. - Garvin County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 08 Feb 2009 Return to Garvin County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garvin/garvin.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED B.J. Rice B.J. Rice, age 80, went to be with the Lord Sunday afternoon, April 29, 2007, at his home with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Lindsay, Okla., to Perry and Ethel Rice. The family later moved to Southern California where B.J. graduated from high school in Van Nuys. On Dec. 2, 1944, he joined the U. S. Navy and served on the USS Clarendon. Following World War II, B.J. played minor league baseball playing for the Red Sox and Cardinals where he shined as an all-star second baseman. In 1951 B.J. moved to Northern California where he played for the Chico Colts and Glenn County Cardinals in the Semi-Pro Sacramento Valley League. He also played in the Redding Northern California Southern Oregon League. In 1960 the Rice family settled in Chico where B.J. worked for 7Up and in 1963 began a 31-year career with KHSL Television. While in Chico, B.J. coached Little League, Pony League and American Legion Baseball. On Dec. 3, 1977, he married Ella Seavers-La France, and the couple made their home on a ranch north of Chico. B.J. enjoyed golfing with his friends three times a week, and meeting with his coffee group every morning. In 1987 he was inducted into the Northern California Old Timers Hall of Fame, in 1988 into the Chico Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2003 into the LaSalle Baseball Club Hall of Fame. He was a member of the BPOE Elks, SIRS 84, and a past Commander of American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Ella; two sons: Randy and Rob; a daughter, Becky Saxton; upon marriage to Ella he welcomed David La France, Carole Hansen, Susan Giraldes, and Tod La France. He's also survived by a total of 24 blended grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by both parents and infant granddaughter, Shauna Saxton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2007, at Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bidwell Park Golf Club or to Butte Home Health Hospice in care of the funeral home. You may share your thoughts and memories of B.J. online at nbcfh.com. Published in the Chico Enterprise-Record on 5/2/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Garvin County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/garvin/garvin.html