Charles Edward Rice

Charles Edward Rice passed away January 18, 2021, at his home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. His memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm, on April 9, 2021, at University Heights Baptist Church, 323 S. Knoblock, in Stillwater.
He was born on February 13, 1932, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Cheslie and Lillie (Orender) Rice. He was the youngest of six children. He graduated from high school in Pleasant Grove, Oklahoma, in 1949. Charles’ further education included a year at Seminole Junior College, interrupted by the draft into the Army in 1953, serving in Ft Hood, TX, and Japan. Charles married LaDonna Rohrbaugh in Cimarron, KS, in December 1956. He received his BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Engineering from OSU in 1961, and his PhD in 1972, from the University of Minnesota.
His first position was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS in 1961 at the Hydraulic Laboratory at Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater. He later transferred to the St. Paul, Minnesota Hydraulic Laboratory. In 1966 he took a teaching/research position at OSU. He resigned that position in 1978 and returned to work at the Hydraulic Laboratory, Lake Carl Blackwell, retiring in 1998. He loved his job and the “best crew ever at the Hydraulic Laboratory”.
Charles kept busy during retirement golfing, driving for Mobile Meals, special times at IHOP with friends, trips to visit family and friends, a cruise, overseas travel with friends and attending OSU sporting events.
He enjoyed helping LaDonna in the kitchen and they are well known for their peanut brittle. He was famous for his delicious brownies.
Charles is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Curtis Ray (killed in the Korean War), J.D. and Cheslie; sisters, Muriel Rice, and Pauline Roberson. Charles was very proud of his siblings. All of the boys served in the military, including brother in law, James Roberson. Family gatherings meant a lot to him, with, nieces and nephews and cousins around as well as their little ones and always always good food.
Charles is survived by his wife of 64 years, LaDonna; son, Paul Rice and his wife, Sherri Kelley-Davis of Gloucester, VA. and step-grandchildren, David and Aaron Medley, Amy Medley Foos, Leah Medley Hart and Lamar Kelly; 11 great step-grandchildren; son, Curtis Rice and his wife, Chrystal Cokeley of Houston TX, and granddaughter, Cydney.
Charles believed in God, Country and family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice, or consider Salvation Army or Mobile Meals.
Pastor Paul Jones will officiate. Serving as ushers will be Sunday School class members and OSU class friends.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.