Jerold J. “Jack” Rice Sr., 86, of Ripley,

Jerold J. “Jack” Rice Sr., 86, of Ripley, passed away Wednesday, July 4 2012 at Jackson General Hospital following a brief illness.

Jack was born June 8, 1926 in Mason County, son of the late Virgil and Ora Jones Rice.

He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of WW-II and following discharge he owned and operated the Exxon (Esso) bulk plant in Ripley for many years.

He later worked for Hardman’s Home Center and was a well known and trusted face at the Ripley store up until one week prior to his death.

He attended the West Ripley Baptist Church and was a member of the Ripley Masonic Lodge.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Louise, in 1995, a daughter, Roseanne, in 1960 and a son, John, in 2010.

Surviving: Daughter, Rebecca Derenge of Paris, KY;  a daughter-in-law he considered a daughter, Sandy Rice of Ripley; Sisters, Gretta Wilson (Elwood) of Ironton, Ohio and Lucy Cullen (Bill) of Pt. Pleasant; Grandchildred, Lawrence Derenge of Louisville, KY and Michael Derenge of Paris, KY; Great-grandchildren, Stella and Lilah Derenge.

Funeral services wereNoon on Saturday, July 7 at Waybright Funeral Home   Pastor Franklin Howerton officiated and interment followed at Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley.

Friends called at the funeral home two hours prior to the funeral service.