Jerrie Joe Rice was born on January 8, 1949, to Robert and Leree Rice, in Liberal, Kansas, where he was raised on the family farm, nine miles north of town.

Jerrie enjoyed life on the farm and participated in 4-H with his older brother, Jimmie. Jerrie attended Liberty Country School until eighth grade. The small farmhouse that he and his brother grew up in was later donated to the Liberal Historical Society and moved to town to become "Dorothy's House," as part of the Land of Oz Museum.

Jerrie began attending Kismet High School in ninth grade and then transferred in his junior year to Southwestern Heights High School in Plains, Kansas. It was there he met and began dating his future wife, Diana Wisby.

After graduating high school in 1967, he attended Dodge City Community College and Kansas State University, majoring in Agriculture. Following his time in college, he joined his father and brother in farming.

Jerrie and Diana were married on December 21, 1968. They started their lives together on the farm in Liberal. In 1971, they welcomed their daughter Gina Raquel, followed by Sara Leree in 1975, and then Amanda Jane in 1977. Jerrie and Diana valued time with extended family and always treasured the memories made. Jerrie was known for his dry, quick wit, as well as his strong, steady composure.

Having grown up attending church, during their early years together, Jerrie and Diana reaffirmed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and were baptized together. The decision to commit themselves, their marriage and family to Christ was a defining moment and became a strong foundation for the rest of their lives.

Jerrie's career as a farmer grew his dependence on God and marked his life for 50 years. Over those years of farming, the Rices raised numerous crops, but most notably, their specialty was the hog business.

Jerrie had a passion for woodworking, carpentry, and remodeling and loved to spend his free time and creativity on woodworking projects with his dad and brother.

In 2004, Jerrie retired from the farm, and he and Diana moved from Kansas to Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2010, as more grandkids had been born, they moved to Wichita, quickly joined by all three of their daughters and families.

Jerrie became affectionately known to his grandkids as Poppie. In these last several years, he and Diana were blessed to have their daughters, sons-in-law, and their grandkids in the same city. He loved nothing more than hanging out with them, hearing their stories and watching them grow up and grow closer to Jesus.

In the last few years and especially this past year, Jerrie faced tremendous pain with tremendous faith and courage. He believed in miracles, and also that God is good no matter what, and he trusted Him above everything. Above all, his greatest desire was to give God the glory.

On December 27, 2025,  his body was weak and failing, but his heart and spirit remained strong to the end. He finished the fight in victory and was welcomed by Jesus to his eternal home in glory.

Until they meet again, Jerrie leaves behind his wife, Diana Lynn, of Wichita; daughter Gina and husband, Brad Willems; daughter Sara and husband Chris Ellington; daughter Amanda and husband Chris Thompson; grandchildren, Riley Nevins and wife Courtney; Tatum Nevins; Chloe Willems; Shelby Willems; Grace Thompson; and Rocco Thompson, all of Wichita; brother Jim and wife Carolyn Rice of Liberal, niece Melissa Rice of Loveland, CO and nephew Brian Rice of Phoenix, AZ.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, January 25th at 2pm at Ridgepoint Church, 8000 W. 21st Street, Wichita KS 67205. Memorials can be mailed to Ridgepoint Church to be distributed by the family.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." -John 11:25