Joe Edward Rice
Many loving arms surrounded Joe Edward Rice on the morning of June 22nd, 2024, when peace fell over his countenance, and he went home to be with Jesus and his loved ones on the other side. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy and a family filled with sorrow.
On September 19th, 1952, Joe was welcomed into the world by caring parents, Bobbie Marie (Jarrett) and Joseph Raymond Rice in Mesa, Arizona. Raised with two adoring older sisters, he was known as “Little Joe”. His family moved to California when Joe was young, and he came to love the beach, lemon trees, classic rock, and cruising Whittier Boulevard in his GTO. With his brown wavy hair, tan skin, a charming smile, and eyes the color of the ocean, he melted many hearts.
Joe graduated from Sierra High School in 1970 and entered into the world of work. Raised with a strong sense of providing for oneself, Joe dependably fulfilled many work roles before finding his lifelong passion of enforcing the law. He bravely entered the Los Angeles Police Academy, enduring training that few finished. He joined the LAPD and became part of a brotherhood of officers willing to lay down their lives to protect their fellow citizens.
Life took Joe from the busy city to the small community of Soda Springs, Idaho, where he devoted 40 years of his life to the Police Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant, then Captain, and eventually Chief. He graduated from the prestigious FBI Academy. He assisted in convicting serious criminals. He helped addicts come clean. He monitored the crosswalks before and after school with a friendly demeanor, and occasionally ate lunch with the Elementary children to show that policemen are our friends. He maintained a command presence that drew respect from colleagues and convicts alike.
In 1988, Joe fell in love with his “best girl”, Sue. They started a love affair that would never end. His children became hers, and her children became his, and bonds were created that are stronger than blood. To their union came a baby, Lexy Jo, who completed their family. Their romance story took them to beautiful places: holding hands on a beach in Mexico, celebrating the birth of each precious grandchild, enjoying summer sunsets at Bear Lake, and toasting to another good year every Christmas Eve. He loved his beautiful dancer, and she loved her man in uniform.
Officer Rice maintained a very professional appearance throughout his career. When the time for retirement came however, he traded his bulletproof vests for Hawaiian shirts, his black socks for silly ones, and his polished shoes for Converse. But always and forever, he was Joe Cool, who could sport sunglasses like no one else.
His favorite experiences in life included backpacking, fly fishing, cheering on his grandkids, reading a good book, golfing, coaching baseball, collecting, giving gifts, listening to music, going to concerts, and being anywhere that Sue is.
He was a man of faith. He had a conviction in the saving power of Jesus Christ which carried him through all of his days.
He maintained a disarming sense of humor that set those around him at ease instantly. To the end of his days, he kept his friends, medical team, and family laughing.
Papa Joe, you are our calm in the storm. You are our voice of reason and the glue that holds us together. You are our roller coaster buddy, our fierce protector, our standard of stability, our grammar police, our devoted fan. You are our honest critic, our comic relief, our supportive foundation, our hard shell with a soft interior, our patriarch, our Chief, our friend.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara, and a grandson, Skye, Joe is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Sue, his children: Jenny (Zac) McNamarra, Tiffany (Cory) Unsworth, Greg (Lisa) Jolley, Amanda (Blake) Peterson, Lauren (Matt) Shelman, and Lexy (Joe) Malinowski, numerous adoring grandchildren, and his sister, Rayma.
Visitation for family and friends was on Wednesday, June 26th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home. Services honoring Joe will be held at 361 S. 3rd E., Soda Springs Idaho on Thursday, June 27th at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 9:30-10:30 that morning.
An honor guard will accompany the family to Joe’s final resting place overlooking the beautiful Bear Lake. A graveside service will take place at the Laketown Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. that day.
