BEAVER DAM, Ky. — Jimmy Wade Rice, 73, of Beaver Dam, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 18, 1950, in Hyden, Kentucky, to the late Julius and Joan Shephard Rice.
Jimmy worked for Peabody Coal Company for 16 years, all while starting his own company and becoming a master logger. He owned a successful logging business, Rice Logging, for over 40 years.
Jimmy was an avid gun collector and trader, he loved fishing at the lake, woodworking and hunting. Besides hunting deer, his wife Shirley was his greatest love, along with his family.
Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by one niece, Carey Rice, and one sister-in-law, Barbara Rice.
He leaves behind to cherish many precious memories, his loving wife of 24 years, Shirley Schroader Rice; three dedicated children, Melody Rice (Tommy) Middleton, of McHenry, Kentucky, Marissa (Jason) Geary, of Horse Branch, Kentucky, and Chelsea (Brent) Geary, of McHenry; one brother, Charlie (Cheryl) Rice, of Echols, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Nicholas (Claire) Middleton, of Richmond, Kentucky, Audrey (Kayla) Middleton, of Cynthiana, Kentucky, Mason Geary (Gracie Olson), of Horse Branch, Kentucky, and Gavin Geary, of McHenry; one great-grandson, Micah Kodiak Middleton; brother-in-law, Jeff (Mickey) Schroader, of Hartford, Kentucky; special nieces, Kayleigh Allen, of Hartford, and Summer Rice (Frankie) Burden, of McHenry; and his loving pet, Coco.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Bro. Allen Shouse officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Church Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Friends may visit with Jimmy’s family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home.
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family of Jimmy Wade Rice by visiting his memorial tribute at www.danksfuneralhome.com.