Jack "Happy" Rice

Jack "Happy" Rice" Jack passed away at his home in Yelm, Washington on April 14, 2012. He was 97 years old. Jack was born in Yelm on July 31, 1914 and was one of seven brothers – who, as you can imagine, all kept their parents on their toes. His was a pioneer family. In fact, he was the great-grandson of James Longmire who discovered “Longmire” and “Paradise” at Mount Rainier. He attended Yelm High School (as did the four following generations of his family) and remained lifelong friends with many of his schoolmates. He was a bit of a historian and loved to talk about his family, life in Yelm and his time in the Pacific during the war. Many academics and students interviewed him for various projects and publications and were always mesmerized by his story telling and recollection of detail. His is referred to as “the Greatest Generation” – hardworking and patriotic. Jack grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression and then went on to fight in World War II. If the history books hadn’t taught us that times were rough back then, we never would have known – his stories were always full of family, friends and happy times. His adventures took him from fighting for his country on the shores of Australia and New Guinea in the Pacific Theater to working in the gold mines of Alaska. With a few gold nuggets in his pocket, Jack found his way back to Yelm and to Fort Lewis where he worked in construction as a civil servant. Jack had a hand in building what is now known as Joint Base Lewis McChord. In October of 1952 he married the love of his life, MaryBelle Stewart – known to family and friends as “Baba.” They were married for almost 60 years and continued to live in the house in which she grew up. Jack eventually retired, if you could really call it that. He continued to be what he truly was – a farmer. He was up early every day, taking care of his house, farm and family. Jack was known for waging what seemed to be a one-man war against Tansy – a weed that could kill his livestock. This crusade eventually landed him on the Thurston County Noxious Weed Board, where he served his community for many years. His commitment to community didn’t stop there. He founded and served many years on Yelm’s Cemetery Board and held numerous offices in Yelm’s Moose Lodge. Even well into his 90s, community service and hard work was just what he did and it kept him young. Travel also kept Jack young. Once his lovely bride was also able to retire, many winters were spent in sunny and warm Mazatlan, Mexico with an incredible group of travel companions. Together they befriended the locals and became a part of the community – you couldn’t go many places in Mazatlan without someone knowing “Happy Jack!” Jack is survived by his wife MaryBelle and his children Diane and Jerry Miller, and Howard “Butch” and Sandi Stewart; grandchildren Danni Minker, Jody and Don Woodcock, Jamie and Robert Murphy and Todd and Andrea Stewart; great-grandchildren Brittany Minker, Dominik Stewart, Kameron Murphy and Cora Stewart and cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to list. Jack Rice was part of a generation that fought not for fame or recognition but because it was right. He lived his life in the same manner. He believed in fixing things rather than buying something new and he blessed his family with wisdom and love beyond measure. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to the Yelm Historical Society, PO Box 314, Yelm, WA, 98597-7641. If you have a remembrance you would like to share about Jack Rice, please visit www.funeralalternatives.org.