Richard Gary Rice

Mr. Richard Gary Rice, 67, of Tifton passed away Monday, February 8, 2021 at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. in Oakridge Cemetery with Rev. Jay Kimbro officiating. Eulogies will be given by his children, Megan, Caleb and Kelsey.

Active and honorary pallbearers will be current and former EMS staff.

Mr. Rice was born January 13, 1954 in Tifton to the late Lowell Harmon Rice and Rosa Kate Bishop Rice. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church of Tifton and was a dedicated Paramedic. Mr. Rice lived all of his life in Tift County. He was a 1972 graduate of Tift County High School. Following his graduation from high school, he pursued his education and training to become a paramedic. Gary was proud of his over thirty-five-year career with the Tift County Emergency Medical Service. He spent many of these years as shift Captain and earned a special respect from his colleagues and the people he served. Following his retirement from Tift County, Capt. Rice spent five years with the Irwin County EMS. Gary loved his family and especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren. In addition to his career as a paramedic, he enjoyed working with his hands and loved woodworking. Gary was a licensed electrician and also liked working on motors, plumbing and construction. He could train himself to do anything he wanted to learn. Mr. Rice was a man of faith who loved his Lord. He always remained active in the churches he attended.

Mr. Rice is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Dr. Megan and Rob Lambert of Burnsville, Minnesota and Kelsey and Trent Hester of Sylvester; his son and daughter-in-law, Caleb and Ashley Rice of Tifton; four grandchildren, Ella Pierce, Emily Lambert, Jaxson Rice and Tatum Rice; one brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and Shirley Rice of Tifton and one sister, Freida Sharpe of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World-Changers.net.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.