David Ernest Rice, 72, Gallipolis, went suddenly to meet his Lord and Savior November 14, 2009, while vacationing in Naples, Fla.

He was born October 29, 1937, son of the late William Glen Rice and Goldie Mae Pyles Rice. David married Josephine “Jo” Clark in 1955 and the couple moved to Springfield, Ohio, where David started out as a cheese maker at Borden’s Dairy. He then became a general contractor and worked at Robbins and Myers. He built over 40 homes. The family then moved back to Gallipolis in 1968 where he and his father Glen Rice, contracted and built several homes. David was owner and operator of Rice’s Furniture in Gallipolis for over 40 years. After the death of his first wife, he married Jean Cassidy in 2003.

David has been a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Gallipolis, Ohio, for over 50 years. During his membership he was very active in serving on the Church Board, Sunday School Bus Driver, Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher, visiting the sick and shut-ins, Prayer Warrior and winning many people to the Lord. He also, had a Christian radio program, “Let’s Talk About Jesus” on WJEH for several years during the 70s.

He devoted his life to the Lord and his family. He touched the lives of many people with his happy personality, his witness and testimony. Everybody was a FRIEND. Those who knew him felt his compassion for others and reaching out to those in need. He was a Saint. He always greeted you with a smile.

Surviving are his second wife, Jean Cassidy Rice; one daughter, Lynn Rice (Mark) Blair; and one son, David Glen (Denise) Rice; three grandchildren, Tony George, Elizabeth (Beth) Rice and Zach Rice (his best friend); three great grandchildren, Dillon Marcus, Johnathan and Nathan George; one stepdaughter, Shella Roettker; three step-grandsons, Chris Roettker, Doug Blair and Matthew Blair; one step-great grandson, Ayden Cassidy Roettker; and one sister, Ruth (Norm) Snyder.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 19, 2009, at First Church of the Nazarene, Gallipolis, with Pastors Robert Fulton and Gene Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Street Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the church.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.