Obituary of Melvin Pleasant Rice

Melvin Pleasant Rice, son of Melvin and Ruth Rice, was born January 17, 1928, in Pittsburg, Kansas, and passed away in Snohomish, Washington, on August 26, 2010, at the age of 82. Melvin grew up in Butler, Missouri, graduating from the Butler High School. He served in the U.S. Navy, attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a degree in Business and in 1950 with a degree in Education. He was a lifelong Jayhawk fan. While in school he met Joan Wilson and they married on July 27, 1950. Melvin and Jo had two daughters and moved to Norton, Kansas, in 1960, where Mr. Rice taught at the Norton Community High School for 30 years. Following his retirement they continued to live in Norton until Jo's death on June 7, 2004. In 2007, Mel moved to Washington state to be near family. Melvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Norton where he was a member of the choir and other activities in the church. He participated in many community activities in Norton where he was a charter member of the Prairie Powder Packers (a black powder gun club,) and was a member of the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and the American Legion. For many years he announced high school sporting events and as a junior class sponsor put on many NCHS proms. Survivors include: two daughters and their husbands, Lori and Mitchell Powlas, Everett, Washington; Diane and Ed Taylor, Roseville, California; three grandchildren, Cpt. Timothy Powlas and wife, Rachel, Clarksville, Tennessee; Philip Taylor, Honolulu, Hawaii; Erin Taylor, Turlock, California; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one sister, Mary Lois Hausler. A memorial has been established to the Bluejay Booster Club.