Mike was called by God to eternal rest and peace on April 15, 2019. He was born in Cleveland Ohio to the late Cleo and Grace Rice on October 10, 1953. He was the third and youngest child in the family and had 2 siblings, Vernon (deceased) and Linda. Mike married his one true love and very best friend Grace and they remained happy in that union for 40 years. He was happy to fulfill the role of devoted father to his four sons, Keith {Carmen), Jerald, Michael II {Brooke) and Brandon. He was an excellent provider and very supportive of his family.
Mike would go out of his way to help his family, friends, and neighbors and never looked for or expected a thank you. He loved being in the background. He had an easy-going nature and great sense of humor. For Mike, family was always extremely important and a first priority and it was important for him to be a man of his word. Mike was a wonderful dad and truly loved his 4 boys! He always made sure they participated in team sports while in school and he volunteered as a coach and assistant coach for their basketball, baseball and football teams.
Mike deeply loved the Lord and tried very hard to keep God’s word close at heart. He lived by God’s counsel to us to not be judgmental, to love and forgive others as you would want them to love and forgive you, and to obey all of God’s laws and commandments to the best of his ability in order to please God.
Mike started at Lincoln Electric as a Welder at the age of 19 in January 1973. He retired in January 2016 after 43 years of dedicated service. He worked hard to provide a comfortable life for his family. He also treasured the many great people he met and formed life-long friendships with along the way. We wish we could mention you all in this program but you know who you are and we cherish you for the many years of love, support, and friendship that you gave to him. We will miss all the backyard bar-b-ques and fish fry’s, company picnics and banquets, weddings, anniversaries, fight parties, get-togethers, phone conversations, sports talk, and on and on.
His favorite colors were black and gold, his favorite car was Cadillac, his favorite music was Jazz, his favorite instrument was the organ, his favorite food was his own bar-b-que ribs, his favorite sports were basketball and boxing and his favorite girls were his mom and his wife – both named Grace.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Cleo and Grace Rice and brother Vernon. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 40 years, Grace; 4 sons; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, the Mt. Zion family, Lincoln Electric “Buddies”, friends and neighbors from near and far away. Anyone who we forgot in our grief to mention in this program – a special thank you and we love you!!!