Paul R. Rice

Paul R. Rice, 57, of Kingsford, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2013 at his home. He was born July 24, 1956 in Iron Mountain, the son of Lois (Mainville) Rice and the late Robert Rice. Paul graduated from Kingsford High School in 1974 and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a co-owner of Northern Supply with his brothers, primarily handling sales of auto parts and industrial abrasives. Paul was a sports enthusiast enjoying basketball, touch football, weightlifting and fitness training until into his early thirties when an untimely back injury curtailed him from further participation. Paul continued to enjoy bicycling and swimming up to the time of his passing. Any day that the Menominee River was not ice-covered, Paul was sure to go for a swim. In addition to participating in sports, Paul enjoyed watching his nephews Bob, Ryan and Jim participate in sports; from their first youth soccer and baseball games through their Kingsford High School football games and wrestling meets. Paul also enjoyed watching his friends and cousins children participate in sporting events. If he could not attend an event, he was sure to listen to the radio and read highlights in the newspaper. In addition to being an avid Kingsford Flivver Fan, Paul was also an MSU Spartans and Green Bay Packers Fan. Paul enjoyed the outdoors and his home on the Menominee River, spending time on his pontoon boat and canoe during the summer months. Each fall, he would follow his love of the outdoors to his brother Randy’s hunting camp in Amasa, MI. Paul would work his fall schedule to maximize time spent at camp, where he could be found hunting, fishing, picking berries, cooking and grilling. In recent years Paul became interested in natural health benefits available from trees local to his surroundings. He began talking about the natural, medicinal benefits of Chaga, a mushroom-type growth found on specific trees in the area. Paul became a local ‘expert’ on the non-disruptive harvest of Chaga from local trees and he worked to ensure his family and friends always had an abundant supply on hand. His Mom’s nightly pot of tea always includes the healthful black tea/Chaga brew. Paul also enjoyed taking the occasional trip to the casino with friends. He is survived by his mother, Lois of Kingsford; two brothers, Randy Rice of Kingsford and Terry (Tina) Rice of Iron Mountain; two sisters, Julie Rice (John Bushmaker) of Wisconsin Rapids and Sue Rice of Neenah, WI; two nephews, Bob and Jim Rice; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. In addition to his father, Paul was preceded in death by his nephew, Ryan Rice. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00am at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00am at the church. Fr. Mike Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Paul's memory. Condolences to the family of Paul Rice may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.

Paul R. Rice

January 24, 1956 - December 13, 2013